Ukrainian capital to introduce e-payment in public transport to promote tourism

KIEV, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian capital of Kiev is to introduce an e-payment service in all public transport as a part of the efforts to promote tourism, a senior Kiev government official announced here Wednesday.

"We plan to install all the equipment and put the system into operation in April 2018," Yuri Nazarov, head of the Information Technologies department at Kiev City State Administration, said at the International Summit of Mayors.

Under the project, Kiev residents and visitors will be able to pay in Kiev transports via a bank card, a mobile phone, a smart clock or e-ticket with QR code, Nazarov said.

According to him, about 1,500 sets of e-payment equipment will be installed in Kiev buses, trolleybuses and trams. Several stations of the city subway have been already equipped with devices for bank card payments.

This year, Kiev government has developed a series of incentives for the city visitors to support the tourist sector, which was severely hit by a more than three-year crisis.

For instance, in August, the city has introduced a special card for tourists, offering discounts or free entry to museums, galleries and night clubs.

This year, Kiev aims to attract 1.5 million foreign tourists and 3 million local visitors. Enditem