Contactless payments in Sofia public transport
Modernising urban mobility is an essential part of a society's healthy circulation system and, through daily usage, a key means of providing greater convenience and care for citizens.
That is why, in May 2021, we - DSK Bank and DSK Ventures, together with the Centre for Urban Mobility, VISA, Mastercard, Sofia Municipality, and BCard - revolutionised public transport in Sofia by introducing a modern contactless payment system using bank cards.
Consumers can use their debit or credit cards issued by local or foreign banks, as well as cards issued by fintech companies, including through NFC mobile wallets. This makes it easier and more convenient for the nearly 2 million residents and visitors of the capital to move around.
One of DSK Bank's priorities is to provide smart solutions for the urban environment. We are working and investing in digitalisation to make life easier for citizens, freeing them from mundane tasks such as looking for change or purchasing tickets.
The results of implementing this service place Sofia alongside large and modern megacities such as New York, London, and Singapore. A city with a vision and a clear concept for sustainable development. As of June 2024, thanks to the opportunities provided by the digitalisation of the service:
2 211 391
unique users who benefit from saved time and increased convenience
Frequently asked questions about contactless card payment in Sofia public transport
To use the service, you must have a valid Visa, Mastercard, Borica or Maestro contactless credit or debit card issued by any bank or fintech company in the country or abroad. E-wallets can also be used as a means of payment.
Bring your contactless bank card to the validation device.
Wait for the successful payment message.
To verify the payment, bring your card close again. You will not be charged a second time.
If validation fails, use another card or purchase your ticket by another method.
When checking for tickets and cards, bring your bank card close to the controller's device.
In all vehicles that are part of Sofia public transport - metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses, electric buses, including suburban buses.
Your contactless card/e-wallet is now an e-ticket with swipe - 30 plus. There are no travel restrictions, just a limited opportunity to change within those minutes, and the price is 1.60 leva. The difference is that when you pay with a contactless card/e-wallet, the final amount due is calculated, and therefore paid, after 00.00 on the day following that on which the metropolitan transport was used.
It is also important to know that when you pay for a journey with your Mastercard or BCard, the moment you bring your card close to the validators, the system records a transaction of 1.60 leva and at the end of the day, if there is no second journey, no further charge is made. For all other cards - Visa and Maestro, the amount will be finally calculated and paid after 00.00 on the day following that on which the metropolitan transport was used.
Currently, more than one person cannot be paid for travel on the same card. However, the system allows for this possibility to be added in the future if new, more flexible fare items are approved.
When travelling with a bank card - Mastercard or BCard, the moment you bring your card or e-wallet close to the validators, the system records a transaction worth 1.60 BGN and at the end of the day, if there is no second trip, no additional charge is made. For all other cards - Visa and Maestro, the amount will be finally calculated and paid after 00.00 on the day following the day on which the metropolitan transport was used.
Due to various restrictions by the issuing bank or lack of funds, the amount may not be collected from the bank account on the day following the day on which the metropolitan transport is used. The system then automatically tries several times to obligate the bank account and accordingly unblock the card for subsequent journeys.
On public transport, the card must be brought closer to the contactless payment image, which is located at the bottom of the validator, than to the device screen. Upon successful payment for the journey in the vehicle, the validator screen shall display 'Valid Card', accompanied by a corresponding sound and green light signal.
In the metro, the card must be brought close to the device screen. Upon successful payment of the fare in the vehicle, the barrier can be turned, and the validator screen displays "Please pass" accompanied by a colour signal.
Your payment card, if virtualised and added to Apple Pay or Google Pay, can be used to validate, and pay for an e-ticket.
To aggregate trip totals, the same media must be used, i.e., if a physical patch is used all trips must be made with it.
When travelling with a bank card or electronic wallet, you must bring the bank card or electronic wallet with which you have validated into the vehicle or to the turnstile at the metro station when you are checked by an inspector. Inspection devices do not have access to passengers' payment card details, only to their corresponding electronic transport documents.
Bank card information is fully protected. In addition to being certified by Visa and Mastercard, the overall metropolitan transport service is also validated by dsk Ventures and DSK Bank to the security standard (PCI) for handling sensitive card data.
In Sofia's public transport, you can travel with cards and electronic wallets issued by Bulgarian and international banks under the brand of Visa, Mastercard or BCard.
Urban Mobility Centre EAD is a Personal Data Controller and data processing is carried out in strict compliance with the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act. Bank card information is fully protected. In addition to being certified by Visa and Mastercard, the overall Metropolitan Transport service is also validated by dsk Ventures and DSK Bank under the security standard (PCI) for processing sensitive card data.
Due to various restrictions from the issuing bank or lack of funds, the amount may not be credited to the bank account on the day following the day on which the metropolitan transport is used. The system automatically tries several times thereafter to obligate the bank account and unblock the card. If this does not happen automatically, please contact the card issuing bank.
You can manually initiate the unblocking of the card by downloading and installing the City by DSK mobile app from the AppStore and Google Play, where you can also track your journeys in addition to repaying any unpaid Metropolitan Transport debt.
For all other cases, you can contact the Urban Mobility Information Centre on 0700 13 233. Suggestions, alerts, and complaints can be submitted via the Virtual Clerk or to. You can submit your request for information to the "Mobile Portal" or by contacting the "Mobile Portal" service. "84 Kniagnia Maria Louisa Street - Complaints Service.