From today September 1, ticket payments on BVG buses can only be made cashless. The BVG is implementing this measure in response to changes in customer behavior.
Starting today, passengers on BVG buses can only pay for tickets without cash. In recent weeks, the Berlin public transport company (BVG) has been informing passengers about this change through announcements on buses, and the new rule is now in effect.
The BVG justified the new policy in early August by citing changes in passenger behavior. According to the BVG, around 99 percent of customers now board with a valid ticket. On average, only three tickets per day per bus are now paid for in cash.
The BVG hopes that this new rule will also ease the workload for bus drivers. Starting Sunday, they will no longer need to handle cash or perform cash register reconciliations.
Cash previously removed from BVG buses
The change is also intended to make the process more straightforward and faster for passengers. Those without a Germany ticket, Berlin subscription, or other time cards who do not purchase their ticket via app or at a machine can pay the bus driver using debit and credit cards or digital services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Additionally, a rechargeable BVG credit card can be used, available at BVG customer centers and 900 lottery acceptance points.
The BVG had previously banned cash payments on buses due to COVID-19 in 2020, but this payment option was reintroduced at the beginning of 2023.
Currently, the BVG reports approximately 1.2 million subscribers. In total, around 1.8 million Berliners use time cards. Since the introduction of the €49 ticket, many visitors to Berlin also bring their own tickets. According to the BVG, 95 percent of occasional customers purchase their tickets at sales points, machines, or via the app—not on the bus.
