Smartcards coming: Swipe, board BMTC bus from September

Bengaluru: Smartcards are coming for BMTC commuters. The transport corporation, which is in talks with Axis Bank to issue such multipurpose cards, is planning to launch it in September.

“We are planning to put up counters at all 66 bus stations to issue the smartcards, which can be read by the Electronic Ticketing Machines with the conductors. Commuters can avoid the hassle of buying tickets or passes everyday and can get the card swiped for the exact fare and not worry about change. As it works as a debit card, the commuters can also use it for shopping or eating out,” said Ms Shyamala S. Maddodi, Public Relations Officer, BMTC.

Commuters can top up the card with cash, debit or credit cards. Recharge points will be available at BMTC car issuing centres, ATMs, web, conductors on buses or Axis Bank Merchant terminals.

These smart cards are the next step towards building BMTC’s latest Intelligent Transport System (ITS).The ITS also includes ‘Passenger Information System’ display boards that have been installed in major bus stations, displaying the arrival and departure time of the buses. Though expected to be completed by June, some of them are still not functioning in around 4 platforms at Kempegowda Bus Station.

“We are facing internet connectivity problems with the control centre. It will take until next week for these display boards to be fixed,” said Nagendra, Chief Assistant Manager.

In order to improve metro connectivity, the BMTC is also adding more feeder buses to 3 new routes, going through both the purple and green line. There will be six buses to ferry people from Tambuchetti Palya to Dommalur TTMC, passing through Baiyappanhalli Metro Station. There will be 4 buses, from K.R.Puram Railway Station to S.V road metro Station. Both these routes will see buses every 20 minutes. There will be one bus that will begin and end at Mantri Mall Metro station, once every 35 minutes.