Developing a model for unified public transport journey planning and ticketing system

Problem

In the XIX Government Programme, one of the measures aimed at improving the public transport sector is the creation of a unified, nationwide public transport travel planning and ticketing system, as well as ensuring its efficient long-term operation. This objective is based on the concept of “Mobility as a Service” (MaaS), which is founded on digitalisation, data analytics, and the principles of the sharing economy. The goal of the concept is to integrate various transport services (rail, road, water, micro-mobility, and ride-sharing) into a single, easily accessible platform that allows passengers to conveniently plan their journeys and pay for them in one place. Such integration would not only increase the accessibility and efficiency of public transport – making it easier for residents to travel and pay for services – but also create social and environmental benefits by promoting sustainable mobility. The system will also include non-digital solutions to address the need to reduce the digital divide experienced by older people and other social groups.

Situation in Lithuania

Lithuania’s Transport Strategy included the goal of creating a unified electronic ticketing system and improving public transport integration as early as in 2014. Despite many positive developments in recent years, such as:

• an increasing level of public transport digitalisation,
• integration of regional transport systems, particularly in the Tauragė Green Region,
• the growing popularity of offering free public transport services within some smaller municipalities, 
• and the unification of public transport data within the VINTRA information system,

the creation of a unified ticketing system still requires significant effort and further systemic changes. The main challenges include:

• A lack of centralised, strategic planning and management of the national public transport system, which should encompass all modes of transport (road, rail, and inland waterways) and all levels of governance (from local to long-distance transport).
• Public transport in Lithuania is organised at the municipal level and is fully subordinate to local authorities. As a result, different cities use separate ticketing systems and information platforms, causing inconvenience for both local residents and tourists; it is difficult to efficiently plan trips between different cities and regions.
• In addition, the effective operation of the MaaS system requires legislative changes that would mandate the participation of transport operators in a unified system and define data-sharing standards that are attractive and feasible for them.

Existing Technological Solutions

Several widely used digital platforms already exist in Lithuania, such as Stops.lt, Visimarsrutai.lt, Google Maps, and Autobusubilietai.lt. These platforms offer partial integration of different routes, operators, and ticket purchasing options. Some municipalities, including smaller ones like Jonava and Panevėžys, have developed their own individual digital solutions for journey planning and online ticket purchasing. Additionally, there is a growing number of technology companies focused specifically on the development and implementation of MaaS platforms (including Lithuanian tech start-up Trafi) whose practical experience could be of significant value in Lithuania.

Some EU countries, such as Finland, Denmark, and Austria, have already made significant progress in implementing unified public transport system models. However, the platforms developed in these countries still face challenges and limitations – majority does not yet cover all transport modes and operators, struggle to integrate transport service providers in regional and rural areas, and encounter issues related to data privacy and ensuring a user-friendly experience. Nevertheless, these examples can already offer valuable insights for Lithuania.

Challenges

Successful implementation of a unified public transport system requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including municipalities, public sector institutions, and private transport operators. The main challenges include:

• Data collection and management – Real-time data integration is a crucial element of journey planning, yet the availability and quality of data can vary between transport operators.
• Revenue distribution models – A unified ticketing system must ensure fair revenue sharing among different operators.
• Diverse fare structures – Municipalities in Lithuania apply different fare discounts for passengers, which means ticket pricing and discount policies must be harmonised.

Goal

The project goal is to develop a model for a unified public transport journey planning and ticketing system by working in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Communication’s Future Mobility Policy Group. The model will outline the necessary legislative changes, organisational and coordination responsibilities, capacity-building needs, technological components, and budgetary requirements.

Participants

2024/25

Vaida Arlauskaitė