Tartu Bus Card

From 1^st September 2015, the City of Tartu started using a modern ticketing system which is already in use in many places throughout Estonia and Europe. A contactless plastic chip card, or a sticker, which must be swiped at on-board validators upon entering a city bus, has been introduced. Use of the bus card is compulsory for all passengers, except those travelling for free under the provisions of the Public Transportation Act. Pensioners over the age of 65 and other passengers with the right to free travel from the City of Tartu, must also register their journey at the validator. Students can use their new student cards as bus cards. Tartu bus cards can also be used in Tartu County, Tallinn, Jõgeva County, Narva, Rakvere, Sillamäe, Lääne-Viru County, Hiiumaa, Saaremaa, Valga County, Põlva County and on Go Bus intercity lines. Bus cards of Tallinn, Go Bus and Ridango can be used in Tartu and vice versa.

• Bus cards can be purchased at R-Kiosk, shopping centres and other stores. A list of retailers is available at https://tartu.pilet.ee/pages/retailers. Cards cost €2.
• Passengers aged 65+ and other passengers with the right to free travel from the City of Tartu can receive their first bus card for free, upon presentation of a valid identity document. Cards can be collected from  the City Hall Information Centre.

The ticketing system uses credit card-sized bus cards and similarly sized stickers, which can be attached to a wallet, telephone, or any other handy item. Both the card and the sticker function as bus cards and passengers can decide which one is most convenient for them.

1. Buy a card from sales points
2. Register your card
   *at sales points (€1)
   *on the Internet www.tartu.ee/bussikaart
3. Load money onto your card or buy a ticket:
   *at sales points
   *at www.tartu.ee/bussikaart
   *via your mobile phone
4. Board the bus and hold your card up to one of the on-board validators, until you hear a beep.
5. Safe travels!

• Both registered and non-registered cards can be used, but only registered cards (a card linked to one particular person) can receive a travel concession.
• Using a registered card also ensures that your credit is preserved in the event of you losing your card. 

Registered cards are valid only with valid identification. Bus cards can be registered at sales points and online at https://tartu.pilet.ee/buy.

Tickets and ticket codes can be seen at https://tartu.pilet.ee/buy

When boarding a bus, hold your card or sticker up to the validator until you hear a beep. If your card has credit or a valid ticket, but you have not validated your trip, you may be fined. You can check your account balance by swiping your card a second time. Up to five people can travel together with single tickets using one card. First, register your card at the validator, then choose the number of tickets to be purchased using the arrows on the validator, then confirm your purchase by pressing OK and swiping your card again. Additional travellers can buy full-priced tickets only.

Follow validator instructions:
Blue – swipe card
Yellow – wait, your right to travel is being confirmed
Green – ticket activated/season ticket, ticket concession valid
Red – No right to travel/insufficient funds on your card