Bengaluru: BMTC to bring back QR-code ticketing

BENGALURU: To ensure cashless travel, BMTC has decided to reintroduce QR-code ticketing in all AC buses, including Vajra and Vayu Vajra. It will provide Paytm soundboxes (speakers) to conductors, which will give out an audio alert once a passenger makes payment.
“We are planning to buy 500 speakers, mainly for AC buses. At present, 190 AC buses are plying in the city and this number is likely to be increased to 400 by March. Conductors will keep these speakers inside their bags,” said AV Surya Sen, BMTC director (information technology).
In May 2020, BMTC had introduced UPI QR code-based travel facility in all buses. But this was discontinued after many conductors refused to accept cashless payment, complaining that the amount was not being credited. TOI carried an article on this on October 14.
According to officials, Canara Bank has provided laminated cards with QR code and they have been distributed to all conductors. Passengers can scan the code with their mobile phones to pay for the ticket using the likes of Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm. Each bus conductor will have a different QR code.
Asked about non-AC buses, an official said: “Cashless facility is available in all buses, but we don’t have any plans to purchase speakers for non-AC ones. We have to pay Rs 49 a month per bus to the firm. This is a stop-gap arrangement.”
Common mobility card from May
With Namma Metro, along with RBL Bank, all set to launch the national common mobility card (NCMC), commuters can use it aboard BMTC buses from May 2022. BMTC has decided to invite a tender for the implementation of the automated fare collection system by next week. “The selected firm will provide 12,000 Android-based electronic ticketing machines that could accept UPI QR-code, NCMC, closed-loop cards,” said an official.
BMTC app by March
BMTC officials said passengers will be able to track buses through a new app from March next year. Vehicle tracking units (VTUs) have been installed in 70 buses so far and the remaining are expected to be installed in two months.
A consortium of Manipal Group and Amnex Infotechnologies, at a cost of Rs 37.3 crore, is implementing the Intelligent Transportation System under the Nirbhaya project. It includes fitting two cameras each in 5,000 buses, 5,000 VTUs, 500 passenger information system display boards, and a new app with women’s safety features.
The city transport utility plans to induct 565 environment-friendly BSVI Ashok Leyland buses by February 2022. “We have received 110 BSVI buses so far. This is the first time we are inducting BSVI buses to the fleet,” said an official.