Public transport surely has been a blessing for anyone who wants to commute within the city without shelling big bucks. But we all must agree that using public transport has its challenges. We have to deal with an unruly driver and conductor, people who refuse to move out of your way, being stepped on, pushed and actually buying your ticket or pass. With technological advancement, BMTC too has moved forward and come up with various ways to make our journey hassel-free.
Commuters of the AC Vaju Vajra buses will now be able to avail cashless bus passes. BMTC plans to install ETMs at 10 major depots across the city. All one has to do is; enter their detail on the the Namma Pass website, upload a selfie and pay online. Talking to regular commuter we find out what they think..
Vidya Sharma, an entrepreneur feels that not only is this a smart move but an environmental friendly one too. She says, “This definitely is a positive move as the one we have now is very unreliable. Now if one needs to avail a pass, it is not really possible as we will have to show an ID first, which is impossible in a crowded bus. Many times, I have had to wait for a long time to get a ticket or a pass. The conductors too sometimes are very rude and do not have the exact change. Introducing such cashless passes will reduce the use of cash altogether. People who use these buses will definitely have a smart phone. It will be more time-saving and fine-friendly in case the pass gets lost, which I think tends to happen in most cases. It will be helpful for both the conductor and the commuter.”
This city-based student feels that the initiative will really help students as well. Shravini Narayan says, “I once had to get down at a stop which was not my destination because I couldn’t buy a pass from the conductor due to the crowd on the bus. I then had to walk back to my stop. Introducing such a initiative will also be very environment friendly as it will reduce the use of paper. It will save time as well for both students as well as professionals who are in a rush to get to work or college.”
This youngster feel that such cashless transactions needs to be introduced in the normal BMTC buses as well. Michelle Simon says, “Among all the initiatives that have been introduced, this one will surely work. Not only is it time convenient but will be easier for the conductor. They won’t have to push their way in a crowded bus to sell tickets. But having said this, I feel such cashless passes needs to be introduced in the normal buses as well. The number of people using these buses are much more compared to Vaju Vajra buses.”
MD of BMTC, V Ponnuraj, IAS says, “Gradually we are moving towards cashless transactions in the buses. This has multiple advantages for the commuter, staff as well as the corporation. For citizens, it will help them manage change. If there is cashless transaction, interaction with the staff is less, leading to less acrimony among them. For the conductor, they don’t need to shell out change, leading to less cash handling. His accounting and auditing too will be brought down. Security of cash will also be ensured. When it comes to the Corporation, we can completely do away with our auditing, cashier, pilferage will all be reduced.”
