The news in Greek
Η Αθήνα ξεκινά την ψηφιακή εποχή στις συγκοινωνίες. Από την 15η Ιανουαρίου, οι επιβάτες μπορούν να πληρώνουν εισιτήρια για μετρό, λεωφορεία και τραμ με κάρτες ή κινητά. Αυτή η αλλαγή κάνει τη μετακίνηση πιο εύκολη και σύγχρονη , όπως σε άλλες πόλεις της Ευρώπης. Ο στόχος είναι πιο άνετες και γρήγορες μετακινήσεις.
Translation
Athens embraces the digital age in transportation. From the 15th of January, passengers can pay for metro, bus, and tram tickets using cards or mobile phones. This change makes commuting easier and more modern, similar to other European cities. The goal is to provide more comfortable and faster journeys.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: When did Athens start allowing contactless payments on public transport?
On January 15th.
Question 2: What types of public transportation can passengers use contactless payments for in Athens?
Metro, buses, and trams.
Exercise: Vocabulary
Read the full story
▌13/01/2025
Athens is stepping into a new digital era with the introduction of contactless payment options for its public transport system. From the upcoming Wednesday, 15th January, passengers using the city's metro, tram, buses, and trolleybuses will have the option to pay for their journeys using their bank cards or digital wallets, such as smartphones and smartwatches, under the management of the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA).
This development follows a successful pilot phase initiated in April, which allowed users of airport express bus lines to pay using contactless methods. During this period, more than 90,000 transactions were completed using this system, representing approximately 9% of all transactions on these lines, illustrating the growing acceptance and demand for such technologies among passengers.
Athens Launches Contactless Payments on Public Transport (Illustration)
The launch of the 'tap2ride' system aligns Athens with other major European cities such as Madrid, Milan, and London, which have adopted similar systems. It aims to simplify and streamline the commuting experience for residents and tourists alike by offering a more straightforward and convenient method of payment, thus encouraging increased use of public transportation.
According to OASA officials, the contactless payment system is part of a broader effort to modernize Athens’ public transport services, enhancing convenience and security while supporting the transition towards so-called smart city developments. The system is expected to offer a seamless transit experience by eliminating the need to purchase physical tickets or understand complex fare structures.
Under this scheme, commuters can easily pay for their rides by simply swiping their cards or devices at the designated contactless payment machines. This advancement in Athens' transportation infrastructure highlights the city's commitment to embracing digital innovation to improve urban mobility and passenger convenience.
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