Minsk to Launch Bank Card and QR Code Payments on Public Transport by End of 2025

Capital authorities are preparing a real revolution in the fare payment system: by the end of 2025, passengers of surface public transport will be able to pay for rides with a regular bank card. This was announced on April 7, 2025, at an operational meeting at the Minsk City Executive Committee by Yuri Supranovich, director of the state enterprise "Capital Transport and Communication." The innovation promises to make rides more convenient and simpler. But this is not the only change: the metro will also increase the number of turnstiles accepting payments via QR codes. Here’s what to expect for Minsk transport in the near future.

A New Payment Method: Bank Card Instead of Cash

From the end of 2025, surface transport in Minsk—buses, trolleybuses, and trams—will offer the possibility of paying for rides with a bank card. Yuri Supranovich noted: "We hope to implement the possibility of paying for rides with a bank card on surface transport this year. It will be a regular salary card that a person can use without additional applications." The system is simple: the passenger just needs to hold the card near the validator, wait 1-2 seconds, and the payment will be made. The confirmation of the deduction can be checked in the bank's mobile application. Paper receipts will not be issued, and inspectors will be able to verify the payment by scanning the card with a special device. This solution will not only simplify the payment process, but also make it more modern and convenient for all categories of passengers. Interestingly, this is not the first attempt to introduce contactless payments in Minsk. Back in 2019, a pilot project was launched jointly with "BPS-Sberbank," "Minsktrans," and IBA Group, but at that time the system required further refinement. In 2023, experiments continued in the regions—Mogilev and Gomel, where the technology successfully passed testing. Now it is ready for a full-scale launch in the capital.

QR Codes in the Metro: More Turnstiles for Passenger Convenience

In addition to surface transport, the changes will also affect the Minsk metro. In 2025, 30 turnstiles will be modernized to accept QR code payments. Yuri Supranovich clarified: "In the metro, there will be more turnstiles where you can pay for your ride using QR codes. The work will be completed this year." This innovation will complement the introduction of bank cards on surface transport, providing metro passengers with an additional payment method. The metro remains a key mode of transport in the city: more than 700,000 people use it daily, and during peak hours, 333 carriages are in operation.

Statistics and Growth: Why Transport Modernization is So Important

Minsk is a city with a developed transport network. Every day, around 1.1 million passengers use surface transport, and the metro carries over 700,000 people. Yuri Supranovich provided data on the distribution of transportation:

• Metro: 36% of the total volume;
• Buses: 34.6%;
• Surface electric transport (trolleybuses and trams): 25.5%.

The surface transport fleet consists of 1,975 units, of which 1,509 are in operation during peak hours, and 839 on weekends. Demand for public transport is growing: in 2024, the number of surface transport passengers increased by 10.8% compared to 2023, and the metro saw a growth of 7%. In the first two months of 2025, growth was 4.5% for surface transport and 5.5% for the metro compared to the same period in 2024. These figures underscore the need to modernize the payment system. The convenience and speed of transactions will be an important step towards improving comfort for the growing number of passengers.

Transport and the City: Adapting to New Districts

The development of the transport network goes hand in hand with the growth of the city. Recently, routes were adjusted in the area of Lieutenant Kizhevatov Street due to the extension of the third metro line to the "Slutsky Gostinets" station. Passenger traffic at the new stations is growing: in February 2025, they served 636,000 people, which is 6.5% more than in January. Changes also affected the "Northern Shore" district: bus route No. 26 received an updated movement scheme and additional trips. As new neighborhoods are populated and social facilities—schools, clinics—are introduced, the network of routes will continue to adapt.

Safety and Control: What About Violations?

In addition to convenience, the authorities are paying attention to safety and rule compliance. In 2024, inspections revealed 24% fewer violations compared to 2023. However, the issue of transport overcrowding remains relevant. The introduction of the new payment system may help address this issue by simplifying the control over the number of passengers.

Minibuses Are Also Switching to Cards

Starting from November 2025, the installation of terminals for bank card payments in minitaxis will become mandatory in Minsk. This requirement is established by a resolution of the Council of Ministers and the National Bank. Thus, the entire city transport system—from the metro to minitaxis—will become more modern and convenient for users.

What Awaits the Residents of Minsk in the Future?

The introduction of bank card payments in surface transport and the expansion of QR payments in the metro are just part of a large plan to modernize Minsk's public transport. These changes will make rides faster, more convenient, and more accessible, keeping up with the pace of the growing city. By the end of 2025, residents and visitors of the capital will be able to fully appreciate how technology simplifies everyday life. For now, we await the official launch of the system—and prepare our bank cards for new opportunities.