PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) will provide commuters the option of cashless fare payment by the end of this month, officials said.
“We are working on the final details and EbixCash, an Indian subsidiary of US-based Ebix, has been chosen as a facilitator. Commuters will have the option of cashless payment, including a QR code-based payment system. Earlier, we had an agreement with the Central Bank of India for fare payment, which has ended,” a senior official in the traffic department of PMPML told TOI.
“This is for the first time that the PMPML is offering a different mode of payment. There were talks of ‘one card-one payment’ system in the form of MI cards, but it has not picked up. The entire fare payment system is going through an overhaul and the conductors are being trained. The pandemic has forced the transport body to recognize the importance of cashless payment,” the official said.
Commuters said that while the QR code payment was common, using it to pay fares would be something to look forward to. “Does the PMPML have the infrastructure to introduce it? Many bus shelters still don’t have fare charts,” said Nikunj Maghe, a regular commuter.
PMP Pravasi Manch activist Sanjay Shitole questioned the choice of a US-based company for cashless payment. “Why did they choose a US-based firm when there are many Indian companies which can offer the same expertise and there is stress on Made in India products?” he asked.