- As of today, BVG buses will no longer sell tickets with cash.
Commencing from now, travelers in BVG buses can no longer use cash to purchase tickets. The Berlin Public Transport Company (BVG) has been announcing this shift for weeks, and it's now in force.
The BVG instituted this policy in early August, attributing it to a shift in passenger habits. They claim that about 99% of riders already possess a valid ticket. On a daily basis, only about three tickets are paid for with cash on a single bus.
The BVG also anticipates that this new policy will alleviate the burden on bus drivers. Beginning on Sunday, they will no longer need to process cash transactions or balance their cash at the end of the day.
Cash had been eliminated from BVG buses before, but this time, it's for good. For passengers who don't have a Germany ticket, Berlin pass, or other electronic tickets, and can't buy them via app or at an automated machine, they can pay the bus driver using Giro and credit cards, or digital services like Apple Pay and Google Wallet. A reloadable BVG credit card is also an option, available at BVG customer centers and 900 lottery outlets.
Due to COVID-19, the BVG temporarily banned cash payments in 2020, but brought it back in early 2023.
At present, the BVG serves around 1.2 million regular customers. In total, about 1.8 million Berliners utilize electronic tickets. Since the introduction of the 49-euro ticket, many tourists visiting Berlin have also brought their tickets along. Additionally, 95% of occasional customers purchase their tickets at sales points, automatic machines, or via app - not in the bus.
The Berlin Public Transport Company (BVG) announced this shift, stating that the following policy of cashless ticketing has been in effect since early August. Begun due to a shift in passenger habits, the new policy aims to alleviate the burden on bus drivers by eliminating the need for cash transactions.
