A significant number of Bengaluru Metro passengers are sticking to traditional tokens over digital options like QR codes and Contactless Smart Cards, despite the latter offering a 5 percent reduction in travel fare.
AS Shankar, Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, emphasized the efforts to promote faster and on-the-go travel facilities. However, he revealed that a large portion of commuters still opts for tokens, causing crowds at Metro stations, as reported by The New Indian Express.
In November alone, the Metro recorded a total ridership of 1,60,66,040. Astonishingly, 55,54,647 passengers chose tokens, surpassing QR ticket users (18,76,894) thrice over. Smart card users amounted to 86,34,499.
Even with the recent introduction of a single QR ticket for up to six commuters, tokens remain popular. Post-Covid, card users faced glitches, leading many to switch back to tokens. However, these issues have been resolved.
When questioned about their preference for tokens, Nitika Kumar, a sporadic Metro user, commented, “Buying a card makes sense if you’re a regular commuter. Otherwise, why carry it daily for rare Metro trips? Purchasing a token when needed is more convenient for me.”
Another occasional Metro traveler, Abdul Aleem, suggested, “Infrequent Metro users might feel they’re tying up Rs 50 unnecessarily with a card purchase. BMRCL should consider waiving the card charge to encourage more users and boost revenue.”
Despite the digital perks, the charm of the physical token seems unbroken among Bengaluru Metro riders.
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