Shift4 and Mastercard Modernize Greece’s Largest Bus Network with Contactless Tap-In/Tap-Out Payments
The initiative brings contactless fare collection to KTEL’s intercity buses, marking a major step toward modernizing public transportation across Europe.
Valletta, Malta – December 16, 2025 – Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR), a global leader in integrated payments and commerce technology, today announced the launch of the Mastercard (EMV) tap-in/tap-out payment system on KTEL, Greece’s primary intercity bus network. The system is powered by Shift4’s European payments platform and represents a major step forward in modernizing public transportation and improving urban mobility across Europe.
The new system allows passengers to simply tap their bank card or mobile wallet when boarding and exiting buses, eliminating the need for cash, tickets, or manual validation. This creates a faster, smoother travel experience while reducing cash handling and operational friction for operators.
Contactless card payments continue to surge in popularity across Europe, reaching nearly €0.8 trillion in 2024 as consumers increasingly rely on tapping their cards and digital wallets. Established in 1952, KTEL is composed of 62 regional bus operators that collectively provide almost 80% of Greece’s passenger transport.
“We’re proud to modernize Greece’s public transportation with secure, seamless payment technology that simplifies travel for passengers and operators alike,” said David Jofre Tejada, VP of Business Development at Shift4. “This initiative reflects our mission to redefine commerce across every sector and region, bringing the same unified payment innovation that powers major venues and enterprises to the public transit space across Europe.”
Shift4’s technology helps KTEL bus operators streamline payment collection, minimize cash management, and improve passenger flow, reducing delays and supporting ongoing efforts to enhance mobility infrastructure across Greece. This launch underscores Shift4’s growing role in powering next-generation payment solutions throughout Europe.
About KTEL
Κοινό Ταμείο Εισπράξεων Λεωφορείων (“Joint Bus Proceeds Fund”) is the main intercity public bus transport service in Greece, established in 1952. It consists of 62 independent regional bus companies that together provide ~80% of all passenger transport nationwide, connecting major cities, towns, and villages. For more information, visit ktelthes.gr.
About Shift4
Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) is boldly redefining commerce by simplifying complex payments ecosystems across the world. As the global leader in commerce-enabling technology, Shift4 powers billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses in virtually every industry. For more information, visit shift4.com.
Media
Nate Hirshberg
SVP, Marketing
Shift4
nhirshberg@shift4.com