Kolkata: Metro e-pass gets mixed response from commuters

KOLKATA: The thought of downloading the e-pass is putting off several Metro commuters who were looking forward to their favourite mode of transport reopening at last.
After five months, Kolkata’s lifeline is gearing to resume services on September 14, albeit with a host of new protocols, including the use of QR code-based e-passes. These passes have been mandatory for boarding a Metro train.

LIC employee Pratap Das, who currently takes a bus from Bhowanipore to reach his office at Hindustan Building on CR Avenue, said, “I thought my smart card would be enough. But now, I have learnt about the mandatory e-pass. The process is complex. I think I shall continue to take the public bus.” The 55-year-old added, “The bus ride is uncomfortable, but at least it’s simple.”
Das’s feelings were echoed by Salt Lake resident Amitava Das, who goes through a lot of hassle to reach his office at Esplanade thrice a week. “I first take an auto or a bus to Ultadanga, from where it is a long and tedious journey to Esplanade. I was really eager for the Metro service to restart. But now, I don’t think I want to go through all that trouble.”
College lecturer Paramita Chatterjee, a regular Metro commuter from Kalighat to Dum Dum, said: “Thank god, we are taking online classes from home. I don’t know how I would have downloaded the passes twice a day. What if I did manage to download it for the Up journey, but something went wrong when I was returning home? ”
However, not everyone is averse to the concept of the e-pass. Tollygunge resident Prashant Joshi, who now takes an app cab to his Park Street office, is willing to give it a shot. “I think it will be worth a try because with only 400 people allowed to board, the Metro will not be crowded and commute will be comfortable,” the 30-year-old corporate executive said.
Some, like Arunima Mukherjee, another office-goer from New Alipore, said they would wait for a few weeks to see how the new system pans out. “If procuring e-passes is smooth and physical distancing is followed properly, I may just give up taking a hired car,” the 28-year-old said.