Across the calendar year, the number of public transit journeys paid through Sber’s system has climbed noticeably. Monthly volumes rose from 230 million to 280 million, a signal of accelerating adoption. This progress was highlighted by Petr Dneprovsky, who leads the State Products and Services division at Sberbank, during the Digital Evolution forum. The uptrend points to a broad move away from cash toward digital payments in urban travel, with millions of riders in Russia relying on convenient options to move through cities each day.
In practical terms, Sber reports that roughly 17.5 million passengers across a spectrum of regions are now using cashless transit payments powered by its technology. The widespread uptake reflects a larger pattern in which consumers expect smooth, integrated financial services to support daily transportation needs. This mirrors similar shifts seen in other major markets where digital wallets and cardless payments are becoming commonplace for city movement.
Today, travelers in Russia can complete trips with a single tap, whether the trigger is a bank card or a mobile device. The roadmap includes biometric authentication as the next step to speed and secure fare collection. By enabling identity verification through a touch or a scan, Sber aims to streamline boarding and cut friction associated with traditional payment methods, enhancing the overall travel experience while maintaining robust security standards.
During the forum, Dneprovsky explained that biometric verification will be piloted in metro systems in selected locations this year. The pilot will assess how biometric checks perform in fast-paced transit environments where speed and reliability are critical for keeping queues short and systems operating smoothly. This initiative aligns with a broader strategy to modernize public transport payments, offering riders a frictionless experience while ensuring precise fare accounting and strong data protection. The developments reflect a global trend toward more seamless, secure, and scalable urban mobility solutions, with potential lessons for comparable transit ecosystems in North America and beyond. [Source: Digital Evolution Forum remarks by Petr Dneprovsky, Sberbank]