Tbilisi City Hall confirms restoration of payment system after technical glitches linked to suspected cyberattack
On January 24, 2025, Tbilisi City Hall announced that the payment system for public transport in the capital has been fully restored following a temporary shutdown caused by a suspected cyberattack. The glitch had disrupted the payment process for passengers, triggering errors and causing some buses and minibuses to play unexpected audio clips during transactions.
The malfunction, which occurred earlier in the week, raised concerns about the security of the city’s transport infrastructure. It was reported that during the payment process, passengers were met with error messages and unusual audio recordings, which included the playing of Georgia’s national anthem, the European Union anthem, and even voice messages from politicians.
The Role of Bank of Georgia Contractors in Fixing the Issue
According to Tbilisi City Hall, the issue was traced back to a technical problem linked to the payment system’s connection with the Bank of Georgia (BoG). Two contractors working alongside the bank—MS and Azri Ltd.—were immediately called in to resolve the malfunction. After some quick troubleshooting, the teams were able to restore the payment system’s full functionality, ensuring that passengers could once again use their cards and mobile payments without issue.
The City Hall emphasized that the situation has now been resolved and there should be no further disruptions in the transport payment system moving forward.
What Happened on the Ground
For many residents, the temporary breakdown of the payment system in Tbilisi was more than just an inconvenience. Buses and minibuses across the city began playing random anthems, political messages, and strange audio clips, causing confusion among passengers. While many found the mix of anthems and political content amusing, others were concerned about the security implications of such an odd occurrence.
The Tbilisi transport network, which serves thousands of commuters daily, relies heavily on this automated payment system, and any disruption causes significant operational challenges. Fortunately, the issue was resolved quickly, and passengers can now resume their daily commutes without the added frustration of technical hiccups.
Possible Cyberattack Remains Unclear
While the City Hall has not provided further details on the specifics of the cyberattack, the brief disruption has raised concerns about the security of digital payment systems within the city. Given that the malfunction was seemingly triggered by an external breach, officials are likely taking extra precautions to strengthen the system’s defenses against any potential future cyber threats.
As Tbilisi continues to upgrade its digital infrastructure, the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in such systems, especially when they are tied to critical public services.
The restoration of the payment system is a relief for many who rely on public transport daily, and the city authorities are urging passengers to report any further issues they may encounter to ensure the system’s reliability in the future.
