Nizhny Novgorod residents were explained why cash was canceled in public transport.

      On July 1, 2026, at 16:22 Society From July 1, in Nizhny Novgorod, payment for travel on buses, trams, trolleybuses, and electric buses can only be made with a bank or transport card. The reasons for the transition to a cashless system and future plans were discussed by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways of the region, Denis Ryabinin, on the air of Radio "Komsomolskaya Pravda - Nizhny Novgorod." According to him, the innovation is "not a revolution," but a continuation of an already established practice: today, 96% of the 800,000 daily trips are paid for cashlessly, and only 4% are paid in cash. At the same time, the authorities are not completely abandoning cash.

      "We are not canceling cash, but moving it outside the vehicle - to points of sale for travel documents and transport cards," emphasizes Denis Ryabinin.

      Transport cards can be purchased and topped up at "Rospechat" kiosks, Russian Post offices, metro ticket offices, and "Spar" and "Smart" stores. In the near future, "Pyaterochka" and "Magnit" will be connected to the system. Bank and transport cards, as well as payment through mobile applications and QR codes, remain available in the cabin. The main effect, according to the deputy minister, is not fiscal but social. The authorities hope to reduce accidents by ensuring that drivers will no longer be distracted by accepting money and giving change. Additionally, this simplifies their work and eliminates material liability for cash revenue. Another goal is the transparency of financial flows. According to the politician, part of the cash revenue of private carriers is not always reflected in their reporting. The cashless system will allow for increased tax revenues and more accurate accounting of passenger flow for route adjustments. In the first month, passengers without a card will not be fined; however, fare evaders will be removed from the vehicle - the fine for traveling without payment is 1,000 rubles. The deputy minister noted that in such situations, mutual assistance among passengers is possible. Internet outages will not affect payments: the system works offline, and the deduction of funds occurs later. However, if there are no funds on the card at the time of deduction, it will be placed on a stop list. To avoid this, Denis Ryabinin recommended using a separate rechargeable transport card. The abandonment of paper tickets is also being discussed. According to the speaker, they are no longer printed in large cities, which reduces equipment wear. In Nizhny Novgorod, the possible transition will be gradual - initially on certain routes. Currently, the new system operates only in the regional center. In 2028, cashless payments are planned to be implemented in Dzerzhinsk, Bor, Balakhna, and Gorodets. As the share of cashless payments increases, the process, as Denis Ryabinin stated, is proceeding "painlessly." Earlier, we reported that Nizhny Novgorod residents would be able to evaluate trips on public transport via QR code. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+