PATNA: In an attempt to switch to the smarter mode of transportation, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation Limited (BSRTC) has launched the ‘Chalo’ app and a mobile pass for city-based bus services. While the former provides live location of all BSRTC city buses, the latter ensures cashless and contactless ticketing.
According to transport secretary Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who is also the chief executive administrator of the BSRTC, a final agreement in this regard has been signed with a private firm after a trial period of 18 months.
“The digitalization of tickets amid the Covid-19 pandemic will ensure the safety of passengers and provide a hassle-free experience to them,” Agarwal told this newspaper and added that the app and the mobile pass would encourage more people, especially the youth, to switch to public transport.
Meanwhile, bus passengers hope to avail the benefits of the app and the pass fully. “Now, I can buy a digital ticket or use my prepaid ‘Chalo’ card for a comfortable bus ride to my office,” Rahul Kumar, a resident of Kankarbagh, said.
Many also like the live location feature available on the app. Patna Women’s College student Ankita Bharti said, “I will not have to wait for hours or miss my bus again because the ‘Chalo’ app will save a lot of time.”