In Zhytomyr, private carriers have removed bank terminals: payment only through CityCard.

According to inkorr.com: In Zhytomyr, private carriers have completely removed bank terminals from their buses. Starting from November 10, 2025, payment for travel can only be made through the unified accounting system 'CityCard'.

New payment rules

Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Shevchuk noted that the goal of the changes is to improve transparency, convenience, and security of payments for all participants in transportation. Now, the transport system operates with a unified system that accepts all types of contactless cards, including bank, student cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

“The transport regulations state that the equipment must belong to one company that accepts all types of cards. Moreover, passengers can use a mobile app, QR code, or create a free virtual card,” Shevchuk noted.

Why terminals were removed

The head of the CityCard department, Yulia Harbovska, reported that the dismantling of bank terminals was a mandatory condition of the new contract.

“Today, all routes operate without bank terminals. Payment is made exclusively through the CityCard system,” she explained.

Now passengers can choose several payment methods:

• through the CityCard;
• by QR code in the app;
• with a virtual card created for free online.

However, some carriers expressed dissatisfaction with the new conditions. Entrepreneur Arkadiy Savitsky reported that the commission increased from 0.8% to 10% for each transaction, making transportation less profitable for private companies.

Control and inspections

The transport department plans to regularly check compliance with the contractual conditions by carriers. The city council emphasizes that the new system will help prevent cash abuse and simplify control over passenger flow.

Thus, the introduction of the new payment system has already caused changes in the passenger transportation sector of Zhytomyr. It promises to simplify the payment process and make it more transparent. However, there are concerns among carriers regarding the increase in fees, which may affect their activities. This creates a situation where new technologies and fees require balancing the interests of all participants.