Close on the heels of the private bus owners mulling introduction of ‘smart cards,’ the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is also planning to implement the ‘cashless’ payment system.
“We want to implement the system soon. As a first step we’re introducing new generation electronic ticketing machines in two months. The corporation has already placed the order with a Bangalore firm,” CMD K.G. Mohanlal told DC.
All that the passenger has to do is to purchase a ‘smart card’ and recharge it once or twice a month. During travel, it’s handed over to the conductor who just flashes the smart card over the electronic ticketing machine after entering the code of the starting and de-boarding stops.
The smart cards will help avoid the ‘change woes’ being experienced by the bus crew and commuters alike. But the real benefits are more – accountability, advance payment and less personnel requirement.
The private buses, especially that in Kochi, had announced introduction of the system by July-end but they have now postponed it citing that there are several technical challenges to be solved first.
Source: Deccan Chronicle
