Ahmedabad Metro has recently made a switch from the familiar orange plastic round tokens to paper tickets. The new paper tickets come with additional information such as ticket validity, which is a useful addition for passengers. However, this change has stirred a mix of reactions among commuters.
Ahmedabad Metro Introduces Paper Tickets
#AhmedabadMetro Now Introduces Paper Ticket In place of orange coloured plastic round coupon !
The paper ticket has much more information for the metro user like validity of ticket.
Not sure if other metro in the country have paper ticket system or not.
Please share. pic.twitter.com/Cs0DluuTmP
— Kumar Manish (@kumarmanish9) August 21, 2024
The paper ticket system has been implemented with QR codes that passengers need to scan at entry and exit gates. “Chennai Metro sends ticket on WhatsApp,” pointed out one user. “Kolkata metro green line, Delhi airport line has also paper-based QR tickets, probably Pune, Nagpur, Agra, Kanpur metros also have them” pointed out another. However, in Ahmedabad, the transition seems to be lacking proper signage and clear instructions for passengers, especially during peak hours.
Regressive (mumbai monorail has these)- should have reusable RFID tokens
— Anubhav (@anubhavary) August 21, 2024
Previously, passengers using plastic tokens or smart cards faced minimal delays at the exit. The introduction of paper tickets, however, adds a few extra seconds to the process. This may not seem significant during off-peak hours, but when footfall is high, even these seconds can contribute to long queues and potential chaos. This is particularly concerning at busy stations like Thaltej and Old High Court, where traffic is already high.
Netizens Raise Concerns
I am having NFTC card easy to scan and go !! Earlier it was paytm now its SBI card but to add balance you can only add through phonepe ( anyone’s phonepe ) by adding card number to recharge
And same update system at metro station.— Dilip Rangwani (@ItsRDil) August 21, 2024
One of the main concerns raised by regular commuters is the lack of clear signage at metro stations. There are no prior instructions informing passengers which exit gate is for paper tickets and which is for smart cards. This confusion can lead to frustration, especially for those in a hurry. Additionally, the cleaning staff will likely face more work due to paper waste discarded by passengers after use.
It should be through the app itself similar to the brts, people will throw it anywhere after the use, also need to click its picture in case of rain
— OmcarJi (@Omcarji) August 21, 2024
I am having NFTC card easy to scan and go !! Earlier it was paytm now its SBI card but to add balance you can only add through phonepe ( anyone’s phonepe ) by adding card number to recharge
And same update system at metro station.
— Dilip Rangwani (@ItsRDil) August 21, 2024
In terms of recharging metro cards, the situation has also become a bit complicated. Earlier, users could recharge their cards using platforms like Paytm, but now, the system has shifted to SBI cards, and recharges are only possible through PhonePe. This has caused inconvenience for users who previously relied on Paytm for seamless transactions.
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While the paper tickets add more information and may be useful for occasional travellers, they pose challenges for regular commuters. Regular metro users prefer the simplicity of an NFC card, which allows for quick and easy scanning at the gates. This eliminates the need for paper, which not only adds to waste but also risks being lost or damaged during travel. Some have even suggested taking a picture of the QR code as a precaution, just in case the ticket gets misplaced or creased.
Cover Image Courtesy: @kumarmanish9 /X (Formerly, Twitter), Canva (Representative Image)