Tartu public transport fares to rise July 1
Pending city council approval, Tartu will raise city bus and bike share fares July 1, with prices up as much as 20 percent amid rising costs and weaker fare revenue.
Under the city's proposal, single-ride bus fares will rise by about 20 percent and period passes by roughly 15 percent.
Single-ride fares will increase from €1 to €1.20 for Tartu residents and from €1.50 to €1.80 for nonresidents, with children's discount fares increasing 15 cents to €0.75.
For city residents, 30-day bus passes will rise from €18.50 to €21.30 and bikeshare passes from €12 to €14, while combined bus and bikeshare passes will climb from €26 to €30.
City officials said the changes are driven by steadily rising operating costs in recent years, which have significantly outpaced fare revenues as fares have remained unchanged since July 2022.
Tartu Deputy Mayor Priit Humal noted resident taxpayers already cover most of the city's public transport costs.
"To get closer to the original balance and maintain public transport service quality, we have no choice but to seek a larger contribution from riders," he said.
The city also plans to simplify its fare system, discontinuing five-day passes due to low demand and ending hourly bike share fares in favor of longer-term passes or a €0.20-per-minute rate.
If approved, the changes take effect July 1. Current fares remain in force until then.
--
Editor: Marko Tooming, Aili Vahtla
