QR code in the bus didn't work, and the conductress expelled passengers who had no cash. Is she right?
The incident occurred in one of Slutsk's city buses. Passengers encountered a problem when paying for the fare via QR code, with no transaction going through for anyone. The conductress announced that payment by this method was not working that day and asked passengers to pay in cash. According to eyewitnesses, she roughly demanded that those who did not have money with them leave the bus, reported "Minskaya Pravda".
It later became known that similar problems with cashless payment were observed in Minsk on the same day.
Bus depot No. 2 in Slutsk explained that QR codes are linked to payment systems, one of which periodically experiences technical failures and undergoes service work. The carrier claims that it cannot influence the operation of the banking system.
At the same time, representatives of the bus depot noted that a passenger is obliged to pay for the fare in any case. If the QR code does not work, another payment method, such as cash, must be used. Therefore, passengers were advised to carry cash with them.
The bus depot also compared the situation to buying goods in a store: if a bank card or payment terminal does not work, the goods will not be given to the customer without payment. The carrier stated that travel is a service for which payment is required.
Separately, a representative of the bus depot explained the conductress's actions. According to him, if inspectors record a fare dodger, responsibility may also be placed on the conductress, and the fine for her could be significant. Therefore, the bus depot believes that her actions can be understood.
According to Resolution No. 147 of the Council of Ministers of Belarus dated March 31, 2026, a passenger is obliged to purchase a travel document in a timely manner and fully pay for the fare. Payment can be made to the driver, at the ticket office, or at other designated places before the start of the trip, and in the presence of a conductress — to her before the next stop on the route.
Thus, the obligation to pay for the fare remains with the passenger even in the event of a technical failure of the banking system.
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