MAD | IDŽK Ružomberok

Information for you:

Will the timetable and fares remain the same?
Yes. The current timetable and fares remain unchanged. If the operator makes adjustments in the future (in agreement with the city), they will not affect peak times. The aim is to use buses as efficiently as possible.

Will I lose credit on my prepaid card?
No. The remaining balance will be transferred when you exchange your old card. The new card will also work in the Integrated Transport System of the Žilina Region (IDS ŽK), offering savings on combined travel. Details will be provided later.

Is transport free for passengers?
Yes. From 1 to 10 October 2025, MAD will be free of charge for all passengers. During this period, new ticketing systems will be installed and old cards exchanged. From 11 October 2025, travel will only be possible with a valid ticket according to the tariff or a prepaid card.

Has the free travel period been extended?
Yes. Free travel is extended until Sunday, 19 October 2025 (inclusive). From Monday, 20 October 2025, MAD will be charged according to the price list.
Passengers who have not yet obtained a new card are kindly asked to do so as soon as possible at Umbrella info centres.

How do boarding and alighting work?
Rule: boarding through the front doors, alighting through the rear doors.
Reasons:

• ticket control,
• safety,
• clearer passenger movement,
• smoother boarding and alighting.

Where can I find the info centres and when are they open?
From 6 October 2025, there are two info centres:

1. bus station (original location),
2. city hall (entrance from Veľký Závoz Street, former city police office).

Opening hours: 6:00 – 20:00, lunch break 12:00 – 13:00.
Between 6 October – 31 December 2025, opening hours will be extended to match demand. Umbrella is working to ensure that at least one centre will be open on Saturdays.

At the centres you can:

• obtain a new card,
• exchange your old card,
• get help from trained staff.

How can I contact you? Will there be online channels?
From 1 October 2025:

• info line: 0940 503 373
• e-mail: ruzomberok@umbrellacitylines.sk

A dedicated website and Facebook page for MAD Ružomberok are being prepared.

What about prepaid cards and bus payments?
From 1 October, old ticketing systems are being replaced. During the transition, not all drivers may be able to accept old cards.

• Always show your card to the driver, even if not yet replaced.
• If the system is not yet fully functional, the fare will not be deducted, but you still need to present the card.
• Single tickets (at the usual price) can be purchased from the driver.

How do I exchange my old prepaid card?
From 6 October 2025 at Umbrella info centres.

• Fee: €9,
• the card remains your property,
• the balance will be transferred,
• the new card works in IDS ŽK.
  Passengers are kindly asked to exchange their cards as soon as possible.

Card Payments

Why did I pay more than the ticket price?
It is a pre-authorisation – the system temporarily blocks a higher amount (e.g. €1). After settlement, the exact fare is deducted and the remainder released.
For MasterCard, card validity is often checked with a €1 reservation, which is released after settlement.

How are payments processed?
According to VISA/MasterCard rules for transport, payments are processed in off-line mode.

• Amounts for tickets are accumulated,
• The total is deducted in one transaction.

When will money leave my account?

• VISA: one amount daily.
• MasterCard: combined after a few days.
  Neither the carrier nor the bank can influence this.

Do I need to enter a PIN?
No, bus terminals do not require a PIN.

Which cards are accepted?
All contactless VISA and MasterCard (debit, credit, prepaid).

What if I lose or my card is stolen?

• Immediately contact your issuing bank,
• Block the card,
• Dispute any transactions at your bank.

What if the system refuses my card?
Possible reasons:

• the card was not activated (first transaction with PIN required),
• insufficient funds,
• card reported lost/stolen,
• contactless disabled,
• card is too old and does not support off-line authorisation.

Recommendation: try your card on MAD before regular use.

Message to passengers
During the first three months of trial operation, we will promptly respond to all issues.
We kindly ask for patience and tolerance – these changes are necessary to make public transport more comfortable and of higher quality.

Contact:

• tel.: 0940 503 373
• e-mail: ruzomberok@umbrellacitylines.sk

Transport to the Žilina Region

Below you will find the current price lists and map of IDS, information on entitlement to discounted and free fares, as well as an overview of valid tariffs for Ružomberok public transport outside IDS.

IDS Žilina Region – price lists and entitlements

Discounted fares: children aged 6–18, pupils and students up to 26 years, seniors from 63 years, and holders of disability cards ŤZP, ŤZP-S (including accompanying persons).
Free fares: children under 6 years.

For further details, we recommend visiting the official website of IDS Žilina Region: www.idzk.sk.

Ružomberok public transport tariffs (outside IDS)

In addition to the IDS Žilina Region tariffs, the tariffs of Ružomberok public transport remain valid.

Electronic fares

From 1 November 2025, it will be possible to pay the fare by bank card at the level of a 60-minute ticket, as well as via transport card or mobile application. For the time being, this will be a non-integrated fare.

Discounted short-term fare (50%)

• Blood donor holding the Golden or Diamond Jánsky Plaque.

Free transport

• Accompanying person of a child in a stroller or “baby carrier”.
• Accompanying person of a severely disabled person holding an ŤZP-S card.
• Holder of an ŤZP card – “blind” – and one accompanying person.
• Holder of an ŤZP or ŤZP-S card in a wheelchair and one accompanying person.
• Child stroller with a child.
• Guide dog of an ŤZP-S card holder.

Timetable

Umbrella will provide public transport in Ružomberok

Our buses operate daily in many regions of the Czech Republic and Germany, where we provide transport for tens of thousands of passengers. From October 1, 2025, Ružomberok will become the first Slovak city where Umbrella will operate public transport. We bring our many years of experience and a modern approach to the organization of public transport.

Our main goal is to provide the residents of Ružomberok and visitors to the city with reliable and comfortable transport that can be flexibly adapted to the needs of the city and its residents. In cooperation with the city, we plan to gradually introduce eco-friendly buses, which will be procured by the city with the support of European funds and operated by Umbrella as part of the city’s public transport system. These vehicles will be quieter and cleaner and will become a natural part of everyday journeys to school, work, or leisure activities.

At Umbrella, we believe that high-quality urban transport is the foundation of a comfortable and sustainable life in the city.