BENGALURU: While most Metro rail corporations in the country offer incentives and discounts to smartcard holders, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) seems to be looking the other way. Recharge options for users are limited and a common mobility card is yet to see the light of day, say experts.
BMRCL's latest move to reduce the time to validate recharge of smartcards from 60 days to seven hasn't gown down well with passengers. While those who fail to validate their cards in time will lose money, the amount loaded on the card will stay for 10 years after single use.
Vivek Kalkur, a public transport advocate, said: "Namma Metro is one of the most backward Metro corporations in the country despite Bengaluru being the IT capital. Delhi Metro offers multiple recharge options, including e-wallets. The top-up facility on BMRCL's website is cumbersome. There's no point in having a smartcard when the agency doesn't encourage people to use it."
In March 2019, BMRCL increased the minimum balance to Rs 50 from the previous Rs 8.5. In January this year, it slashed the discount for smartcard users from 15% to 5%.
BMRCL attributed the reduction of time for validation to introduction of the mobile app. However, there is no such rule in other cities even though most Metro operators have apps. BL Yashwanth Chavan, chief public relations officer, said: "We had to make this change due to technical requirements and RBI guidelines."
Also, the corporation doesn't allow recharge of smartcards through UPI mobile apps like Paytm and PhonePe, unlike Metro operators in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
AS Shankar, executive director, operations and maintenance, BMRCL was unavailable for comments. Sources say most BMRCL staff who are in senior positions are aged over 70 and are not tech-savvy.
Mobility expert Pawan Mulukutla said: "BMRCL should consider Covid-19 as an opportunity to come up with innovative digital solutions. At a time when ridership is low, it should try to enhance the user experience and promote cashless travel. A common card for Metro and buses is also yet to take off."
BMRCL's latest move to reduce the time to validate recharge of smartcards from 60 days to seven hasn't gown down well with passengers. While those who fail to validate their cards in time will lose money, the amount loaded on the card will stay for 10 years after single use.
Vivek Kalkur, a public transport advocate, said: "Namma Metro is one of the most backward Metro corporations in the country despite Bengaluru being the IT capital. Delhi Metro offers multiple recharge options, including e-wallets. The top-up facility on BMRCL's website is cumbersome. There's no point in having a smartcard when the agency doesn't encourage people to use it."
In March 2019, BMRCL increased the minimum balance to Rs 50 from the previous Rs 8.5. In January this year, it slashed the discount for smartcard users from 15% to 5%.
BMRCL attributed the reduction of time for validation to introduction of the mobile app. However, there is no such rule in other cities even though most Metro operators have apps. BL Yashwanth Chavan, chief public relations officer, said: "We had to make this change due to technical requirements and RBI guidelines."
Also, the corporation doesn't allow recharge of smartcards through UPI mobile apps like Paytm and PhonePe, unlike Metro operators in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
AS Shankar, executive director, operations and maintenance, BMRCL was unavailable for comments. Sources say most BMRCL staff who are in senior positions are aged over 70 and are not tech-savvy.
Mobility expert Pawan Mulukutla said: "BMRCL should consider Covid-19 as an opportunity to come up with innovative digital solutions. At a time when ridership is low, it should try to enhance the user experience and promote cashless travel. A common card for Metro and buses is also yet to take off."
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