When it comes to Bengaluru, the city always finds a way to surprise both visitors and its residents. Now, going digital, it has rolled out a major upgrade for bus and metro travellers. Starting June, a single card can be used across both Namma Metro and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses. Here’s everything you need to know.
Single Card For Both Namma Metro And BMTC Buses In Bengaluru
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is all set to make travel simpler. According to Moneycontrol, from June, you can use one National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) across buses too. This includes the card that many people already use for Namma Metro, issued through RBL Bank. For this, new ticket machines need to be installed first across buses, and that work is already in progress.
To make this happen, BMTC in Bengaluru has teamed up with the startup Chalo. They’ll handle everything from supplying to maintaining 11,000 smart ticket machines. These machines will accept NCMC payments, making travel smoother. The deal runs for four years and is worth around ₹30 crore. And this is just the start; BMTC may scale this up to about 15,000 machines in the future.
Now here’s the interesting part. Even though NCMC launched earlier, it didn’t really take off in the city. Why? Because BMTC buses didn’t accept it back then. So people had limited use for the card. But that’s about to change.
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How Many Passengers Do These Modes of Transport Carry?
BMTC handles about 45 lakh passengers every day. Namma Metro carries around 10 lakh daily riders. As per Moneycontrol, officials believe an integrated ticket system will increase public transport use. They also plan to add more feeder buses.
The Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM) rollout has already started. A pilot covered 400 machines in two depots, including Yeshwanthpur and Majestic. Another 1,400 machines are being installed in depots like Banashankari, Kengeri, Chikkamagaluru, Koramangala, and Shivanpura.
What are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments below!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons & Canva Pro/ Pressmaster (Representative Image)
FAQs
How many passengers travel in Namma metro?
In Bengaluru's Namma metro, around 10 lakh passengers travel daily.
Which card can people in Bengaluru use on both Namma Metro and BMTC buses?
In Bengaluru, people can use both National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) across BMTC buses and Namma metro.
How many people use BMTC buses?
In Bengaluru, around 45 lakh people uses BMTC buses.