What You Need to Know About Cairo's New Public Bus Payment Overhaul

Starting December 2025, two new measures introduced by Cairo’s Public Transport Authority will begin taking shape across the city. To streamline transit and reduce reliance on cash, an electronic payment system will be rolled out across 1,800 public buses, beginning with an initial phase of 300 buses. Passengers will be able to purchase pre-paid smart cards at bus stops, tap them when boarding, and later top them up via mobile app or at designated booths. The shift also reduces the need for paper tickets, which will be replaced with digital receipts. The authority has also introduced a new “half-fare ticket for half the distance” system. Applied across 20 bus lines in Greater Cairo, the measure allows passengers to pay a reduced fare if they board or exit at specific mid-route stations.