BENGALURU: In order to facilitate the introduction of the central government’s ‘One Nation One Card’ policy, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is planning to install Automatic Fare Collection Systems on trial basis at Baiyappanahalli, Mysuru Road and Majestic stations.
The National Mobility Card will allow commuters in Bangalore to use multiple modes of transport like metro and buses run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). The card can also be used for paying parking fees and tolls, other than being used for retail shopping. However, the card will only be utilised to its full potential after transport corporations start updating their existing ticket vending systems. Ajay Seth, Managing Director, BMRCL, said that automated ticket vending facilities will be made available for commuters travelling from Mysuru Road to Baiyappanahalli on Purple Line by the end of March this year.
Over four lakh commuters who use Namma Metro services every day, 62 per cent are using the smart card. BMRCL, which has issued more than 10 lakh smart cards (closed-loop cards), maintains that passengers can continue to use these cards.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation is also gearing up for the introduction of the open-loop smart cards for commuters.
The Corporation had, even before the One Nation One Card policy was introduced by the central government, adopted the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the implementation of a similar project. The trials of this system were started in January 2017 on two AC buses. However, the initiative failed due to a large number of glitches in the system.
The BMTC is planning to float a tender in order to reintroduce smart cards. C Shikha, Managing Director, BMTC said, “The Electronic Ticketing Machines we are currently using meet the specifications for introducing national common mobility card. Now, our expert team is working on how introduce the card and also consulting with BMRCL. In 15 days, the corporation will float a tender.”