Ticket first, travel later: BMTC to enable QR bookings ahead of boarding

Bengaluru: Daily commuters on Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses will soon be able to buy QR-based digital tickets even before reaching the bus stop, as the corporation moves to further expand its contactless and app-based ticketing system.

Under the proposed system, passengers can book mobile QR tickets in advance through a digital platform prior to boarding BMTC buses. The initiative is aimed at improving convenience for regular commuters.

Once onboard, passengers will be required to display the QR ticket to the conductor, who will validate it using Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs).

Chief traffic manager (Operations) of the BMTC, GT Prabhakar Reddy, said the corporation is also planning to introduce a closed-loop smart card system for bus commuters on the lines of the Namma Metro smartcard network.

“BMTC is working on multiple digital fare collection options to make city bus travel more seamless and commuter-friendly. As part of the transition, the corporation plans to deploy 11,000 advanced ETMs. We have already distributed around 4,000 new-generation ETMs to conductors and are phasing out the older devices in a phased manner,” he said.

According to officials, new ETMs generate dynamic QR codes for ticket issuance, replacing the existing static QR code-based payment system currently displayed inside buses or carried by conductors.

Officials said over 51% of ticket transactions were carried out through static QR codes. However, the system has exposed operational vulnerabilities and revenue leakages.

“In certain cases, conductors misused the static QR codes by displaying personal UPI QR codes and diverting passenger payments into private accounts. BMTC detected fraudulent practices involving 10 conductors, with misappropriated amounts ranging from a few thousand rupees to over Rs 50,000. All the staff involved have been suspended and are facing departmental inquiry,” the official said.

BMTC also identified instances of fare evasion by passengers using fraudulent payment applications that generated fake transaction confirmation screens without transferring money to the corporation’s account. “Dynamic QR codes will put an end to these illegal practices,” the official said.

Meanwhile, sections of conductors have raised concerns over newly introduced ETMs, stating that generating dynamic QR-based tickets is time-consuming during peak-hour operations.

The delay in issuing tickets forced them to halt buses briefly en route to ensure all passengers are issued valid tickets and to avoid penalties during inspections by line-checking officials.

Responding to the concerns, officials said the issues were part of the initial transition phase and would stabilise as staff gain familiarity with the upgraded digital ticketing ecosystem.

“Senior officials have conducted field inspections to assess the functioning of the new ETMs. In most cases, conductors are able to generate machine-based QR tickets within seconds. We acknowledge that network connectivity issues are being reported in certain locations.”

Enabling NCMC cards

Officials of BMTC said commuters using Namma Metro and city buses will be able to use National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) in BMTC buses from June.

In 2023, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited introduced NCMC cards in Namma Metro and officials said commuter adoption has been gradually increasing. However, BMTC had not enabled NCMC-based transactions in its bus network so far.

“From June, NCMC cards will be accepted in BMTC buses as well. Operational modalities are currently being finalised to facilitate integration of NCMC, which is an open-loop card system that can also be used for multiple payment and mobility purposes,” the official said.

The state govt had earlier announced plans to issue Shakti Scheme smartcards for beneficiaries availing free bus travel services across Karnataka. Officials said the newly introduced ETMs deployed by BMTC will also support Shakti Scheme smartcards.