Smart card can be used on local buses, parking lots, even as a debit card at shopping malls
The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is in the process of unveiling an all-purpose smart card, which will enable commuters to use it as a Metro card for the Aqua Line, as well as for a host of other facilities. The card can be used to travel on local buses, at parking lots, and even as a debit card at shopping malls.
Senior NMRC officials said that unlike the token system used on Delhi Metro, the Aqua Line would have QR-coded paper tickets for single journeys. Commuters can also check in and out using a mobile app.
However, passengers on the 29.7-kilometre line between Sector 71 of Noida and depot station in Greater Noida will not be able to use the Delhi Metro smart card, the official added.
"The NMRC has partnered with State Bank of India (SBI) for the 'City 1' cards, which could be used on metro rail, Noida city buses, parking lots, and even as a debit card for shopping," NMRC executive director PD Upadhyay said.
He added that the NMRC saved Rs 100 crore by joining hands with SBI for sale of tickets and cards. "This partnership is on a revenue sharing model. The entire investment is done by SBI in return for revenue sharing," he said.
The card will have multiple options for travellers to choose from, depending on the frequency of their journeys — day-long passes, trip tickets and monthly passes. "Trip tickets, for example, may mean that if you travel regularly from Station A to Station B, as several people working in offices do, you can use this option to get the best fare on the route you use regularly," Upadhyay said.
He added that the users would also get a single journey paper ticket, which would have a QR code printed on it. "You just tap the QR code on the AFC gate and check-in or check-out. These paper tickets will be used instead of tokens, because the latter can be a concern of revenue leakage," he said.
Talking about the mobile app for Aqua Line, he said commuters can use it to check in or out of the system. The app is available free of cost for Android and iOS.
The official informed that during initial days, tickets would be sold at Metro stations. Each station would host two ticket counters and one customer care centre. "Machines would be installed later at all stations for vending the QR-coded paper tickets as well as for recharging the 'City 1' cards," he said.
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