On June, 21 Warsaw joined a group of cities where passengers of the public transport can buy tickets on the Internet. Apart from residents of Warsaw, only the residents of Wrocław can benefit from such a convenience. The solution introduced in Warsaw is equal to those practiced in other European cities.
“Fast” coding
The system of Internet ticket sale, with rules similar to the ones of Warsaw, has been working since 2009 in Brussels. Tickets bought online in the shop called “BOOTIK online” can be put down on MOBIB card by using specially designed machines installed in 69 underground stations and also by using one of 340 ticket machines. Such an option will also be possible in Warsaw. Only one person can buy tickets from one Internet account. Every family member has to create his own account to purchase a ticket. Payments are processed by means of credit cards or via Internet banking. The most important difference – a ticket bought on the Internet has to be coded on the card within 10 days! There is no such time limitation in Warsaw. It is worth adding that the cost of getting the MOBIB card is €5 (returnable deposit).
For the determined and the patient
Internet sale in London has been available since 2003. A passenger registers on the public transport organizer’s page – Transport for London. From his personal account he can order an Oyster card and if he already has it – he can top it up with the sum between ₤5 and ₤50 or purchase season tickets. 7-day, monthly and annual tickets are available. He can also buy a City Card (for National Rail, buses and trams) and a card only for a bus or a tram. He can pay by credit or debit card. A Londoner, contrary to a resident of Warsaw, has to determine while purchasing the ticket online on which station he will top up his Oyster card. The ticket will be available for coding not before the next day after the purchase. In Warsaw it can be coded immediately! An interesting option in the capital city of the UK is a possibility of automatic authorization of a money transfer for the sum between ₤20 and ₤40 from a bank account or the client’s credit card when the balance on Oyster card drops below ₤5. Moreover, foreigners can order “Visitor Oyster” card or a paper City Card valid from 1 to 7 days on the Internet.
Non-Internet post
In Vienna, online ticket purchase has been available since 2007. A passenger selects a desired ticket and defines the date of its activation. The ticket can be delivered by post or the passenger can print it himself/herself. There are single tickets and a wide selection of season tickets – daily, weekly, monthly, annual, tickets for students and tourists. The purchase is preceded by an account registration. Credit card payments are accepted. Depending on the period of the validity of a ticket, it may be necessary to provide personal data while purchasing the ticket. The ticket will be valid only with a document with the photo of a ticket holder.
In the region of Berlin – Brandenburg there is only one transport company (since 2003) offering tickets online. One can order a card valid for 7 days and also monthly and annual tickets. They are delivered by post (there is no possibility of printing them). Passengers pay by credit or debit cards.
Warsaw is a pioneer not only in Poland but also in comparison with cities associated in EMTA. Residents of Barcelona, Sheffield or Montreal cannot buy tickets online. Warsaw residents – from 21st June – yes!
Published 23 June 2010
Last modified 3 June 2019
