Good for Business, Lithuania, Technology, Telecomunications, Transport

"Key this year will be the introduction of a novelty yet to be found in any other European city- an application for smart phones, m-transport, in which the user can pay for public transport, car parking and taxi- and which in the future will also include the rent of bicycles and the "e.orange" electric bikes from the city," said Zuokas.

The m-transport application will provide public transportation tickets valid for a certain amount of time (60 minutes, 1, 3, or 5 days, one or more months, or yearly), a route-planer with timetables, and a real-time display of the transport network, writes LETA/ELTA.

"Smart Vilnius" is a project for new technologies to provide a convenient and interactive service to city residents and guests.

The project includes not only an electronic solution for urban transport, but also the transfer of Vilnius' municipal services into electronic space and mobile applications, e-solutions for schools, the establishment of free internet hot-spots, a smart energy tool to keep track of energy consumption which allows comparing consumption rates with neighbours, and the possibility of paying bills by mobile phone.

The city's web portal already operates 35 online services for various licenses, including outdoor advertising coordination, declaration of residence, as well as problems with the city register. The portal also features an interactive map of the city with detailed information on construction permits, the traffic situation in the main roads, bicycle paths, schools, cafes and other important information.

The portal also acts as an e-democracy platform through which citizens can find the agenda for board meetings and other relevant information which allows citizens to inform themselves on issues discussed by the city, but also to express their opinions and suggestions by participating in polls and enabling them to prepare e-petitions.