Passenger traffic in Nizhny Novgorod transport increased by 4.4% after the cancellation of cash.

      On August 20, 2026, at 17:21 Society Almost 19 thousand new transport cards were activated in Nizhny Novgorod in June and July 2026 — a figure that nearly doubled the average monthly level. The initial results of the transition to a cashless payment method for public transport were discussed at a meeting of the Transport and Road Economy Committee of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Legislative Assembly.

      Recall that cash was abolished on July 1. Passengers can now use a transport card, bank card, or virtual card on their smartphone, as well as a card for residents of the Nizhny Novgorod region. QR codes for payment are placed in the cabins, and a remote payment method is also available through the "Nizhny Novgorod Region. Transport" app.

      As reported by Denis Ryabinin, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways of the Nizhny Novgorod region, the total number of registered trips on public transport increased by 4.4% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, while the number of trips paid for by cashless means increased by 5.5%.

      The reliability of the system was discussed separately at the meeting. Each vehicle is equipped with two to four terminals for contactless payment, and the likelihood of all equipment failing simultaneously was assessed as extremely low. In addition, the terminals operate independently of internet connectivity.

      Evgeny Lyulin, Chairman of the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Legislative Assembly, instructed not to slow down the pace of informing residents.

      "It is important that we have preserved the payment option for all categories of citizens — through one-time electronic tickets that can be purchased in advance," he said.

      According to him, autumn is ahead when many people will return from their summer cottages to the city, so it is necessary to continue the informational work with residents so that everyone can choose a convenient payment method and feel confident.

      Vladimir Soldatenkov, Chairman of the Transport and Road Economy Committee, stated that the region remains among the leaders in the number of cashless transactions. In his estimation, "the lower-than-expected number of sold one-time paper tickets showed that residents were ready for the transition to the new payment system."

      It was previously reported that starting August 24, changes will affect the schedule and route scheme of four routes in Nizhny Novgorod. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay informed about major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+