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Jouko announces: Imatra buses will switch to the Waltti system on 2.6.2025.
Jouko - Lappeenranta region's public transport tells the story in its announcement have updated the service agreement with Waltti Solutions Oy.
According to the updated agreement, the entire public transport area of the Lappeenranta region will switch to using the Waltti service system as of 2.6.2025.
— This means that the use of the Ridango iLippu ticket and payment system used in Imatra will end on the 1.6.2025, says the Lappeenranta region's public transport manager. Terhi Koski.
To improve regional travel, payment and customer information, and to eliminate overlapping ticket and payment system costs, it is appropriate to switch to the use of the same ticket and payment system throughout the regional area.
Imatra will switch to using Walt's services from the start of the summer timetable season on the 2.6.2025.
When the Ridango system is discontinued, the use of iLippu products in Imatra's local transport will also cease. Products can no longer be purchased from the iLippu online store as of June 2.6nd, and ticket product purchases will be transferred to the Walti online store.
iLippu customers can visit the customer service point at Imatra City Hall to set up a new Walti account.
— When an iLippu customer visits Imatra to establish a Waltti customer account, we also check the products that can potentially be transferred and refunded to them, Koski says.
When a customer switches from an iLippu customer account to a Walti account, they will receive a Jouko travel card free of charge. In other cases, a fee will be charged for travel cards according to the price list. iLippu products can be transferred or refunded to customers until 31.8.2025.
Imatra buses will also receive new vehicle and payment devices starting on June 2.6. Customer information will also be unified with other public transport in the Lappeenranta region.
— Imatra buses on the map and Google Maps will be removed. The Jouko route guide and the Jouko application will be used in its place for static schedule information, real-time information and announcements when it is technically possible, says Koski.
Contactless payment method continues in Imatra – to be used in Lappeenranta and Lappeenranta-Imatra regional traffic in early 2026
Imatra has used contactless cEMV contactless payment in its current system. This payment method will continue in Imatra's D-zone with Walt.
In Lappeenranta public transport and Lappeenranta-Imatra regional transport, cEMV contactless payment will be introduced on the 1.1.2026, after which the contactless payment method will be used in the entire Lappeenranta region public transport area.
— A ticket purchased with contactless payment is always cheaper than a ticket purchased from the driver. When paying with a bank card in person, the customer also gets the so-called ceiling price advantage, meaning the system charges the customer the best price for each trip, says Koski.
When a passenger uses the card on the device, it calculates, based on the customer's usage, how many times it has been used in which period of time and which ticket product is the most affordable for the customer.
The changes and impacts of the ticketing and payment system will be communicated to local residents and other stakeholders in more detail during the spring. Lappeenranta Region Public Transport apologizes for any inconvenience or inconvenience caused by the change.
The sales and usage period for the 90-day summer season ticket will be extended due to the timing of the Imatra system change.
The 90-day summer season ticket, which is already common in Lappeenranta, will have an extended sales and usage period.
— The sales period is usually during May, but now that Imatra has switched to the Waltti system, the sales period has been extended until 15.6.2025, in the entire Lappeenranta region's public transport area. The usage period will also be extended in September, says Koski.
The validity period of the summer ticket will be extended until 30.9.2025, so that the change to Imatra's ticket and payment system causes as little inconvenience to customers as possible.
Of the seasonal products for public transport in the Lappeenranta region, 90-day seasonal products are mainly sold as summer tickets. The 90-day seasonal product can also be used sometimes, for example in campaigns, if possible.
The customer groups for ticket products are adults, children aged 7-16, students, and seniors aged 65+ or pensioners.
The 90-day seasonal product can be purchased from the iLippu online store between 1.5.2025 - 1.6.2025 but it cannot be used in Ridango's iLippu ticket and payment system.
A 90-day seasonal product purchased in May 2025 can be transferred to the Walti ticket and payment system travel account at the Imatra customer service point free of charge.
In Lappeenranta, summer tickets can be purchased from the Waltti online store, Wink, Joutseno Library, and Aalefi customer service points.
For more information:
Public Transport Manager Terhi Koski, Tel. 040 651 5599, terhi.koski
lappeenranta.fi (terhi[dot]koski[at]lappeenranta[dot]fi)
Waltti Solutions Oy is the owner company of the competent public transport authorities, which provides public transport ticketing, payment and information system services to its owners.
I think the Waltti card is…
I think the Waltti card is handy in the sense that it is valid not only in Lappeenranta, but also in Joensuu, for example. So that you don't need to have every type of card if you visit different cities in Karelia, for example for work, studies, or to say hello to acquaintances and relatives.
Apparently the intention is…
Apparently, the plan is to completely stop public transport in Imatra.
As a former Lappeenranta resident, I have both the Waltti and this Imatra card. Using the Imatra Ridango card and the timetable are much better than the Jouko and Waltti mess. In January, I went to Lappeenranta and the Central Hospital again for a change. But when the Waltti ran out of money, I couldn't load it after a long break, and I couldn't find a timetable for the line I wanted in the Jouko. Yes, there is an information board at the Central Hospital stop, but not at every stop, like here next to the Citymarket, where the 101 express line goes. Well, it was easier to walk to the station and buy a train ticket, since it's cheaper than the bus from Imatra to Lappeenranta. You have to walk a bit, but that's what the reduction in timetables for the evenings and weekends has already done.
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