Public transportation and parking fees in Vilnius increased this week, with city officials promising that the additional revenue will help modernise the capital’s transit system. However, critics argue the move disproportionately affects lower-income residents and fails to provide adequate alternatives.
As of Tuesday, all types of public transportation tickets in Vilnius have become more expensive. The most commonly used 30-minute ticket now costs €1, up from €0.65. A 60-minute ticket is €1.25, a monthly pass is €38, and an annual pass is now €342.
“This is supposed to be one of the most eco-friendly ways to get around Vilnius, and they made it more expensive,” a local resident told LRT TV.
Another commuter expressed hope that the price hike will improve service. “There are too few buses. Sometimes they only come once an hour or even every two hours,” she said.
Some residents managed to avoid the immediate impact by purchasing tickets in advance. “I was smart about it – I bought four months' worth of tickets last week,” said one senior, who now has fare coverage through the end of September.
According to Loreta Levulytė-Staškevičienė, head of the city’s transportation services company JUDU, ticket sales for the most popular fare types nearly tripled on Monday, the last day before the new prices took effect. Passes bought before June 30 can be used through September 30 during a transitional period.
Economist Žygimantas Mauricas warned that low-income residents will feel the brunt of the changes. “People who use public transportation often do so out of necessity. They can’t afford a car, or maintaining one is too costly. That is a socially sensitive matter and leads to dissatisfaction,” he said.
Drivers are also facing increased costs. In the most expensive “blue” parking zone, the fee is now €4 per hour – €1.50 more than before – though the first hour costs €3.40. Rates in the red zone rose to €2.50 (up €1), yellow zone parking now costs €1, and green zone rates remain at €0.50.
“Parking should be free, but maybe entering the Old Town should cost money,” said one driver. “It won’t affect me much, but it will definitely hit people’s wallets.”
Others expressed frustration over the lack of parking despite the rising costs. “Even though it’s expensive in the Old Town, you still can’t find a spot. I had to circle three times just to park,” one woman complained.
City officials say the goal is to discourage driving into the city centre and encourage use of public transit. But Domantas Tracevičius, head of the environmental NGO Circular Economy, criticised the policy.
“There’s no real ‘green’ thinking in these decisions – just greenwashing,” he said. “If parking gets more expensive, there should be a cheaper alternative, not a more expensive one.”
Last year, the Vilnius city authorities spent more than €80 million from the municipal budget to support public transport services. Ticket revenue covered only about one-third of the costs.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
