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Smart card gets smarter: MMRDA plans all-purpose card

Not only for public transport, smart card will also function like a credit/debit card for shopping

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Not only for using various modes of public transport in the city, the single transport smart card being prepared by Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) can also be used for making cashless payments during shopping. The Authority has said that the smart card will also allow commuters use it as credit card or debit card along with using it for travelling in suburban local trains, metro, monorail, buses, auto and taxis along with paying toll.

Sanjay Khandare, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, said, "We have appointed a consultant and are in the final stages of preparing a bid document for integrated ticketing system which will also allow commuters use it for shopping as credit or debit card along with using it for paying toll and travelling on various modes of transport."

However, these cards will be the Rupay card promoted by Central government and not a Mastercard or VISA card. Rupay card is the first of its type of domestic debit and credit card payment network and was prepared by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

"It is going to be a complicated task considering it involves many parties unlike in London wherein they have an oyster card and only one single corporation operates all modes of transport. Here we have a different authority for every mode of transport like bus, train and metro," added Khandare.

He further, said, "We will also have to tie-up with banks and ultimately all the payments made by commuters will have to be routed to one single bank account that will keep the accounts and forward the funds to different agencies accordingly."

Similarly, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is planning to launch a common smart card for commuters who will travel by DTC buses and Metro train network being operated by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.
The idea of a common mobility card, to provide a seamless travel between different modes of transport by Union Ministry of Urban Development to have a National Common Mobility Card but was put on back burner due to the complexity involved.

ALL-IN-ONE

Payments that the card will enable: 

  • Shopping and making cashless payments
     
  • Metro, Monorail
     
  • BEST buses and public transport buses in Thane and Navi Mumbai
     
  • Suburban local trains
     
  • Auto/Taxi

Cities worldwide that have similar cards:

London, Hong Kong, Seoul and Singapore

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