Mastercard and its partners announced a new method of paying for public transport tickets in Ljubljana

This advanced payment service has been welcomed by the City of Ljubljana, as it paves the way for Slovenia to become part of the group of smart cities that strive to improve the quality of life of their residents through the use of technological solutions.

City of Ljubljana is actively responding to the challenges of urbanization using innovation and technological progress. Their vision of the future is sustainable, inclusive and focused on improving the user experience. An important component of this approach is close cooperation between key stakeholders in the field of mobility, digitization and sustainable solutions. About the upcoming service and the future of urban mobility are on the media roundtable with the title "Smart urban solutions" important representatives spoke, including Luka Gabrovšek from Mastercard Slovenia, dr. Rok Vihar from LPP doo, doc. Roko Žnidaršič from the Municipality of Ljubljana, Simon Steinman from NLB and Žigo Schmidt from the company Margento R&D doo

Luka Gabrovšek, business director at Mastercard Slovenia, emphasized: "With its commitment to innovation and digital transformation, Mastercard is shaping a new vision of public transport. By understanding the complexity of today's urban environments, we strive to design solutions that improve the user experience. In this regard, the presented innovation goes beyond traditional payment mechanisms, as it takes into account the dynamic requirements of the urban way of life and thus represents a meeting point between modern technology and the daily life needs of the city's inhabitants."

Already today, passengers can travel in many major European cities and around the world with payment cards, mobile wallets and other wearable technologies. Global experience with such alternative payment methods shows that this innovation brings improved user experience and greater user satisfaction.

Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Ljubljana, Assoc. Rok Žnidaršič, added: "Digitalization is definitely a key tool for achieving simple services for citizens. In recent years, Ljubljana has been transformed into a greener, more sustainable and innovative metropolis precisely through the use of digital solutions. We work with leading companies and institutions to build the foundations for the future of a connected and inclusive urban environment."

One of the key components of sustainable mobility is efficient and affordable public transport. The new technological solution will expand the possibilities of using urban passenger transport in Ljubljana and make it more accessible for tourists, employees and occasional users. dr. Rok Vihar, deputy director of LPP doo, emphasized: "It is important that we look for ways to bring the use of public transport as close as possible to users. Technological and social development dictates the introduction of alternative ways of paying fares, which we at LPP consistently follow."

Margento R&D doo, a leading company in the field of research and development of smart cities and mobility, after upgrading the Urbana system last year, further improved its technology portfolio by implementing payment with payment cards on the Margento validator infrastructure, which was entirely developed and produced in Slovenia. Stamp Schmidt, director of Margento R&D doo, said:

"After many years of effort and continuous development, we are proud to be able to present this technological innovation that not only improves the user experience in public transport, but also sets new standards for the entire mobility ecosystem."

The implementation of a technological innovation is the result of several years of development and cooperation with the presenting partners key elements of smart urban solutions. At NLB, they strive for synergies that contribute to sustainable goals and improve the lives of their customers. Simon Steinman, assistant member of the NLB management board, concluded:

"At NLB, we are aware of our systemic role, which we have both in Slovenia and in the markets in the region where we are present. We are extremely proud to be partners in this project, which will make it possible to pay for rides on Ljubljana Passenger Transport buses with bank cards. Our goal is to offer innovative solutions that improve and facilitate lives and co-create the future. We want to offer similar modern solutions elsewhere in Slovenia and the region."

What does the new service enable and when will it be available? Paying for city passenger transport bus tickets in Ljubljana with Mastercard payment cards and other wearable devices brings digital revolution in urban transport, transforming cities into smart centers with attractive, simple and accessible solutions for everyday use. Service "Tap & Ride" will be expected to be available to users by the end of the year and, in addition to faster and safer payment, will also enable integration with other city services and advanced analytical functions to improve urban traffic planning. After the initial testing phase, the service will be available to the general public, transforming public transport travel in Ljubljana into a comprehensive digital experience, where every step, from buying a ticket to getting off the bus, will contribute to an improved user experience.