BudapestGO App Receives Major Update to Enhance Public Transport Experience

The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) has announced significant updates to its BudapestGO application, aimed at streamlining the digital ticket validation process for public transport users in Budapest. The new developments reflect the growing trend of digital payment solutions in the city’s public transportation system.

Digital Transformation in Budapest’s Public Transport

The adoption of digital payment solutions has seen remarkable growth in Budapest’s public transportation sector. At the beginning of 2023, less than a quarter of ticket and pass purchases were made through the BudapestGO app. Currently, this figure has increased to one-third of all transactions, demonstrating the growing preference for digital solutions among passengers.

New “Board Now” Feature

The most significant update is the introduction of a new “Board Now” button (felszállok), which expands upon the existing metro button functionality. This feature, expected to launch in December, will be available for both surface vehicles and metro lines. The new system eliminates the need for QR code scanning, allowing passengers to simply tap the button and select their current route to generate the necessary moving verification image.

Changes to Validation System

As part of the update, BKK plans to gradually phase out the NFC-enabled validation stickers currently found on vehicles, replacing them with traditional QR code versions. This decision was influenced by several factors:

• The vulnerability of NFC stickers to extreme weather conditions
• Higher maintenance and replacement costs
• Low usage rates of NFC validation among passengers

Pay&GO System Expansion

BKK is also exploring the possibility of expanding its Pay&GO payment service throughout Budapest. The system, currently available on the 100E Airport Express and M1 metro line, has proven highly successful:

• Nearly 1.8 million ticket purchases have been made through Pay&GO since its launch
• 35-38% of Airport Express tickets are purchased through the system
• 25-30% of M1 metro line passengers use Pay&GO

Future Developments

The transport company continues to adapt its services based on user feedback and international best practices. The upcoming developments aim to make public transport more attractive and accessible to a broader audience while maintaining operational efficiency.

Impact on Users

These updates will significantly improve the user experience for Budapest’s public transport passengers by:

• Simplifying the ticket validation process
• Reducing boarding times
• Providing more convenient payment options
• Making digital tickets and passes more accessible

The new developments represent BKK’s commitment to modernizing Budapest’s public transport system while meeting the evolving needs of its passengers.

Image source: BKK