The Liberec Region Unveiled Changes to the Public Transportation Ticketing System

Convenient ticket purchases and new check-in options. These are major changes that the Liberec Region is preparing for passengers. Passengers will be able to purchase tickets or coupons on their mobile phones, buy multi-ride and network coupons in the e-shop, or pay for single-ride tickets with a bank card at a lower price than when paying in cash. An overview of the changes is provided by the Public Transportation Coordinator, KORID LK.

“Our vision was to invest in the development and modernization of the IDOL ticketing system so that passengers could use modern tools befitting the 21st century. About four years ago, we signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Central Bohemian Region and the City of Prague, and we’ve been using a so-called multichannel ticketing system that operates within the Prague Integrated Transport network,” said Martin Půta, governor of the Liberec Region. “I’m glad that this major project is nearing completion and that passengers will once again be able to travel around the region with a little more comfort.”

The change in the ticketing system does not mean a change to the IDOL fare structure. So what exactly is changing? “There is a change in the ticketing technology used on public transportation vehicles. Thanks to this, we can introduce the advance sale of time-based and network tickets in the e-shop, which passengers have been requesting,” added Jan Sviták, Statutory Deputy Governor of the Liberec Region for Transportation. “At the same time, the sale of time-based and network tickets will be gradually rolled out in the Idolka mobile app.”

The new system will go live on September 1, 2023. Commuter passes and network passes will be available for purchase via the Idolka mobile app starting July 1 of this year. “We want to use the summer vacation period to test the functionality of both the mobile app and the e-shop,” said Otto Pospíšil, CEO of KORID LK. Starting in June 2023, passengers will be able to register in the e-shop and apply for an Opuscard+ if they do not choose to use a different identifier for their coupon. A chip card will no longer be required for people to travel at a discount or to purchase a time-based pass. However, if a passenger decides to continue using the Opuscard, they will have to exchange it for the new Opuscard+ model. “In this case, we recommend using the online store, where passengers can purchase the card at a discount, and we’ll even have it mailed to their home,” added Pospíšil. KORID LK hopes this will prevent a large influx of people at IDOL service centers in the region.

Description of Changes

Single-Ride Tickets

All individual IDOL tickets will be transferable. Regardless of the payment method, passengers will be able to purchase a ticket to any destination within the territorial coverage of the IDOL integrated transit system. Transfer tickets will feature a QR code that passengers scan at the fare validation machine when transferring.

The Liberec Region supports cashless payments and will therefore continue to offer a 20% discount. In addition to the Opuscard e-wallet and the option to purchase a single-ride ticket via the Idolka app, passengers will also be able to pay with a bank card and receive the same discount.

PLEASE NOTE: You cannot purchase single-ride tickets in the e-shop; only time-based and network passes are available. It will also not be possible to top up your e-wallet in the e-shop.

Passes and Network Tickets

While currently all passes are loaded only onto the Opuscard, it will now be possible to link them to a so-called identifier, which can be:

• a mobile phone or the Idolka app;
• a bank card;
• a new type of chip card—Opuscard+;
• partner cards: In-karta (České dráhy) and Lítačka (PID system).

However, starting September 1, it will no longer be possible to load a coupon onto the old type of Opuscard.

Passengers can then conveniently purchase a time-based or network-based coupon in the online store or directly in the Idolka mobile app. Advance sales will continue to be available at OPUSCARD/IDOL contact points.

Passengers who are eligible for a state-mandated discount must have it confirmed (verified) at an OPUSCARD/IDOL service center.

Opuscard Replacement

It is important to reiterate that passengers will no longer necessarily need an Opuscard. It will be possible to use another form of identification or payment method.

However, this system will remain in place, particularly for passengers who are unable or unwilling to use their payment card or mobile phone.

Passengers will, however, need to replace their Opuscard with a new one. To do so, KORID LK recommends using the online store. There, passengers can purchase a card at a discount, and it will be mailed to their home address.

Passengers can find all the necessary information on the website www.iidol.cz/idolplus, on the IDOL Facebook page, and on public transportation vehicles. Passengers can also direct any questions to the KORID LK Helpdesk at info@korid.cz and the customer service hotline at 488 588 788.