No single ticket for Skopje City Train and JSP buses — city says integrated system is being developed
Passengers from Zelenikovo must pay separately for train and bus; the City of Skopje says an integrated transport card is being developed.
There is no single ticket that covers both the Skopje City Train and the buses operated by JSP Skopje. Passengers arriving from Zelenikovo to the Transport Center by city train must board a bus to reach the city centre, Bit Pazar, the Clinical Centre or other parts of Skopje — and they have to buy a separate bus ticket for that ride.
The fare for a one-way trip on the City Train is 40 denars, while a return ticket costs 70 denars. A JSP bus ticket is 35 denars when paid onboard, or 40 denars if paid by phone.
During a promotional event for the City Train on September 1, the City of Skopje and the Ministry of Transport and Communications encouraged residents to use the new line in greater numbers, saying it improves mobility and offers a quicker connection to the city centre.
Asked why a single, time‑based ticket has not been introduced, the City of Skopje replied that work is underway on the project and quoted the city as saying:
"The City of Skopje, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and JSP are already working on finding a solution for an integrated transport system. One of the segments being actively worked on is the introduction of an integrated transport card that would be used in urban transport and other forms of public transport. The goal is to establish a simpler, more efficient and functional system for citizens, which will enable easier use of public transport," the City of Skopje said.
In July this year, councillors from Levica proposed introducing a ticket that would permit transfers within two hours, as is common in many European cities. That proposal was not accepted by the City Council majority held by VMRO-DPMNE and Vredi, and Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski did not state a position on the plan.
Service and expansion plans
According to the timetable, the City Train runs nine departures from Zelenikovo and nine from the Transport Center, with journeys taking between 24 and 28 minutes. The operator plans two additional segments toward Ilinden and Gjorche Petrov: both lines have existing tracks but no active service and are in poor condition.
Design work for those sections is underway; after design is finished a tender will be announced for the contractor. Construction of the new segments is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Photo: Град Скопје)
