
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Transport Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are joining hands to introduce common mobility cards for the ease of commuters from September, reports The News Minute.
BMRCL will provide the smart cards which can be used in the BMTC buses as the latter is planning to modify the existing Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) to read the smart cards.
“The existing ETMs are being upgraded with an Android system to facilitate online payment. Currently, BMTC is looking into sorting out the technical constraints regarding the payment gateways and the software to be used. BMTC already had a plan to upgrade its existing ETMs but BMRCL approached us and asked us to collaborate so we decided to go with an interoperable smart card,” said a senior BMTC official.
Owing to logistical limitations at the initial stages, the BMRCL has decided to install separate entry and exit gates for its Phase-I stations for those with the common mobility card as the existing system can only allow tokens and metro smart cards.
The Phase-II stations shall be enabled with common gates for smart card holders, ticket holders and the common mobility cardholders. The new mobility cards are expected to be priced between Rs 50 and Rs 100.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.