Universal smart card idea floated

Taking the concept of a single smart card that will enable a commuter in Mumbai to use all modes of public transport a step further, the Railways and the Urban Development Ministry have suggested that such smart cards should work across the country. At a meeting in New Delhi on November 17, it was also suggested that the holders of such smart cards should also be able to use them to pay bills at restaurants and shops, or book movie tickets.

DNA had earlier reported that the first step towards a single travel card for all modes of transport, starting with the lifeline — the local trains of Mumbai — has been taken. In the first phase, Railways will issue smart cards, which can operate in local trains and BEST buses, to at least 49 lakh season pass holders in the city.

Around 75 lakh commuters use the Mumbai suburban system daily.

Sources have now told DNA that the smart card proposed by the Indian Railways and Maharashtra government could be the first to be incorporated in the plan for a National Mobility Card proposed by the Centre. At the meeting on November 17, it has been decided that this single smart card proposed for Mumbai's transportation system should play a larger role, sources said.

Sources said that it has been decided that the smart card will be more like a RuPay card — the Indian version of MasterCard or Visa — that can be used everywhere, and not just restricted to public transport. "At the first meet, the idea of this smart card being able to cater to most of the daily activities related to financial transactions, was mooted," said a senior railway official.

This RuPay card will be individual-specific, that can be integrated with their bank accounts. The card will not only allow people to buy season railway passes of local trains, it can be swiped at a Metro/Monorail stations, a bus conductor of BEST could tap it or mobile aggregators would swipe it; but it will do lot more. Officials who attended this meeting stated that they are working out intricacies for this Pan-India smart card that will allow people to shop, pay bills, buy movie tickets or pay restaurant bills.

"People can store any amount in this card and transact using this, wherever they want. We have stated that the Railways are largest participant in terms of number of people using the local trains; and so sizable revenue generated out of it should come to us," said another railway official.

The MMRDA is likely to decide on the bank that will deal with financial transactions, and even the ratio of cost-revenue sharing will be decided soon. It is looking at linking these smart cards with Aadhaar card, so that all details of the user are in place, and the cards can then be linked to bank accounts as well. A security deposit of Rs 50 could be charged against each card issued to commuters.

The next meeting is likely to take place in mid-December, where senior officials from Railway Board and Urban Development will be given a presentation on the steps taken for implementation of the project.

Currently, in Mumbai, the total project cost is roughly at around Rs 500 crore, for which stations will be gated with entry/exit points. In the second phase, card tapping gated points shall be placed at the stations, which will taken almost 8-10 years to be implemented. Gradually by then, they will also want the daily users to switch over to this Integrated Transport System.

The BEST Undertaking is also working to acquire Electronic Ticket Issuing Machines (ETIMs), which can compliment the proposed smart cards. This will be a second attempt that the government is attempting to pursue a single smart card for all modes of transport; which was first conceived in 2006, implemented in 2007 as 'Go Mumbai' card, but was scrapped in 2010.

KEY FEATURES

• The smart card will be more like a RuPay card that can be used every-where, and not restricted to public transport.