Yekaterinburg man pays twice for tram due to pass limitation

Anton, a resident of Yekaterinburg, purchased an unlimited monthly pass for 1500 rubles (about $15 at current rates) to commute from the residential complex near Veer Mall to the metro station by tram. However, his plan failed because tram number 333, which goes to Verkhnyaya Pyshma, does not accept this card for payment.

The passenger contacted Yekarta«s technical support, where an employee assured him that the pass should work on all routes listed on the website. When he tried to pay, the terminal in the carriage displayed an error: »Invalid card series.« »I was misled. Why should I pay for both the pass and the tram?« Anton stated.

Natalia Tararychkina, General Director of I-Set company, explained that route 333 is inter-municipal and does not belong to Yekaterinburg«s city transport system. »The question of applying city fares on this route is better directed to the competent authorities responsible for transport. It should be a joint decision of the city and the regional ministry of transport,« she commented.

The press service of Yekaterinburg«s city hall reported that there are currently no plans to include the inter-municipal tram route in the city pass system. Passengers still need to separately pay for trips on the Yekaterinburg – Verkhnyaya Pyshma line.

Recall that from November 1, public transport fares changed in Yekaterinburg. The cost of a single ride increased, but an unlimited monthly pass for four types of transport was introduced for 1500 rubles (about $15 at current rates).

Since the beginning of autumn, free travel has been organized for schoolchildren on city transport. In the metro, children still have to pay, but a special monthly tariff of 200 rubles (about $2 at current rates) is in effect.