Incentivise smart card use; allow top-up through UPI apps: Bengaluru Metro passengers tell BMRCL

BENGALURU: With Namma Metro likely to allow only smart card users when it resumes services on September 7, many passengers urged BMRCL to remove the Rs 50 minimum balance rule.

In March 2019, BMRCL increased the minimum balance to Rs 50 from the previous Rs 8.50. In January this year, BMRCL reduced the discount for smart card users from 15% to 5%.

Many passengers urged BMRCL to allow recharge of smart cards through UPI mobile apps like Paytm and PhonePe. Metro operators in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai allow it.

While BMRCL plans to discontinue tokens due to Covid-19, a detailed SOP is expected soon. At present, only webtopup.bmrc.co.in is available for online recharge but the site is marred by technical glitches. Counters at many stations do not accept debit or credit cards and insist on cash payment.

Sanjeev Dyamannavar, a commuter rail activist, said: “Usage of smart cards is a win-win for both passengers and BMRCL. While passengers save time at the station and reduce transactions, BMRCL gets several advantages. Unfortunately, it’s not incentivising smart card users. BMRCL could monitor the travel pattern of passengers, get a significant amount in advance and reduce cash transactions”.

He said, “The validity of recharge amount is only for one year but many people have left the city. A Metro card cannot be used for other things.”

BMRCL chief public relations officer BL Yashvanth Chavan said: “The validity of recharge amount for one year will continue and there’s no change in the minimum balance. We’re awaiting the SOP on operational details.”

An average of 4.5 lakh passengers used the service before lockdown daily of which around 60% used smart cards.

NCMC card in 6-9 months

The National Common Mobility Card (One Nation One Card), launched by the central government in March 2019, may be implemented in Bengaluru in 6-9 months. Passengers can use one card for various transport modes, including Metro and buses, and pay parking fees. “While a card exclusive for Metro will continue, a commuter with NCMC can pay for journeys in Metros, public transport, parking lots, and even taxis once all operators upgrade their fare collection systems to become NCMC compliant,” said BMRCL managing director Ajay Seth.

“All new cards to be issued by banks including credit and debit cards are expected to be NCMC. In addition, customers can seek change of their existing cards. BMRCL is also putting such a system in place in next 6 to 9 months” he said. Earlier deadline for the NCMC card was December 2020.

BMRCL has installed new Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) gates at two stations at Mysuru Road and Byappanahalli on NCMC based ticketing as a pilot project. In addition to NCMC, the Phase 2 AFC system will also support QR-code based ticketing wherein commuters will be able to buy tickets using their mobile phones. BMRCL has had a closed-loop card since it began operations in 2011.


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