New Istanbul Card | Paying Public Transportation Fees via Mobile QR Code

Istanbul transportation card provides multiple payment solutions at the city’s public transport points, and other authorized sales outlets. It has recently launched a new payment method using mobile app, and reading the QR code at many public transport stations and buses.

What is the Istanbul Card?

Istanbul card, or as known by “istanbulkart,” is a contactless digital payment smart card. It is developed by a technology company called Belbim, and owned by Istanbul Municipality.

Consequently, fees are paid on public transportation in the city. For example, the metro, tramway, Marmaray train, sea ferries, bus lines and some taxis.

Istanbul card was first launched in 2009. However, it is one of the leading cards locally and internationally in the public transport sector nowadays. That is to say, it offers multiple transport fares related to community groups. Moreover, it provides a pay-by-distance service.

You can electronically refund part of the paid amount as soon as you exit the station.  In other words, the number of stations that you have went through is calculated, and the rest will be returned to your balance.

The Istanbul Card also held partnership programs with a number of sectors and stores in the city. Thus, becominng more than just a transportation card, as you can shop through it in a number of authorized sales outlets.

Istanbul Digital Card via Smart Device Application “Istanbulkart”

Up to recently, istanbulkart application on smart devices provided many benefits. For instance, creating a new account, logging in, top-up with credit cards, and inquiring about the balance.

At present, the Istanbul Transportation Card offers a new feature to serve the community. Subsequently, in light of the current urgency for more accurate health controls, Istanbul Digital Card was introduced as an alternative to the traditional card in a more practical, convenient and safer manner. In other words, using the application to pay directly is now available.

To clarify, you just have to pass your mobile camera to read the QR code on the gate of the approved stations. Consequently, the system deducts the value of the ride ticket from your balance automatically, in a touch-free manner.

Mobile Payment Service on Istanbul Buses

The service has now been launched on a trial basis at a number of stations, for various means of land and sea transportation. It also includes the majority of the express bus line – the metrobus stations.

In addition to a number of buses, as the new feature allows passengers to pay by reading the bus QR code, using a mobile phone camera.

To view the list of points and stations that provide payment service by reading the QR code using the mobile application, you can visit the Istanbul Card website. Moreover, to download the Istanbul Kart application on all devices, you can use the same previous link.

Edited by: Properties Gate © – Real estate portal in Turkey.

Source: belbim + istanbulkart