Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city, is introducing a new contactless payment system for its public transport network. Starting August 1, 2025, passengers on city buses and trolleybuses will be able to pay for their rides using contactless bank cards or smart devices equipped with NFC. The solution is delivered by Switchio, with Elavon as the acquiring bank and 800 validators deployed across the fleet.
The system is implemented across 140 trolleybuses and about 300 buses, with two validators installed in each vehicle. Kaunas now joins Vilnius and Klaipėda in offering open-loop contactless payments as a standard option for riders.
Contactless payments will make public transport even more convenient for Kaunas residents, city visitors, and tourists. This decision will reduce the burden on drivers who sell tickets and ensure a smoother flow of passengers
Martynas Matusevičius
Head of Transport and Traffic Management, Kaunas City Municipality
Simple and Accessible Fare Payment
The system allows passengers to board and pay with a Visa or Mastercard, or with a smartphone, smartwatch, or other NFC-enabled device. A single tap activates a flat-rate €1 ticket, valid for one journey. No registration or mobile app is required. The contactless option complements existing ticketing methods, including the Žiogas mobile app and Kaunas electronic ticket card, giving passengers more flexibility in how they travel.
Switchio’s Role in the Project
The contactless solution is powered by Switchio’s EMV certified open-loop platform, which manages real-time transaction processing and fare validation. As a bank-agnostic system, it enables seamless integration with the city’s transport infrastructure and supports future expansion.
We’re pleased to support Kaunas in this step toward more accessible public transport. Our platform is designed to reduce operational complexity while improving the passenger experience,
Jan Silar
Business Director, Switchio
Supporting a Growing Trend in Lithuania
With this rollout, Kaunas continues the shift toward modern, interoperable mobility services already underway in other major Lithuanian cities. The adoption of contactless fare collection is helping to reduce barriers for occasional riders and simplify operations for transit authorities. Switchio is proud to contribute to this progress with a reliable and adaptable solution that meets the needs of both operators and the traveling public.
