Tallinn delays phone-based public transport validation until 2027

Passengers in Tallinn will not be able to validate public transport journeys using a bank card stored on a phone until early 2027, ERR reports. The rollout has been delayed because the system developer, Ridango, needs more time to introduce the solution, Deputy Mayor Joel Jesse said.

Jesse said the feature is expected in the first quarter of next year, in February or March, with March more likely. Ridango market director Indrek Järma said in May that passengers would be able to use a bank card in their phone wallet or on a smartwatch to validate a monthly pass or entitlement to free travel.

The new option will not replace Tallinn’s green public transport card, which is used by many older people and children, Jesse said. Passengers can already buy tickets using a phone, but cannot yet validate free travel that way.

Tallinn spends about two million euros a year on its ticketing system. Ticket sales brought in more than three million euros last year. Phone-based validation is already in use in Tartu.