Delhi may soon introduce a smart card-based automated fare-collection system for its public bus service, said an official of the service operator, Delhi Transport Corp.
"Payment for fares could be made by placing the card at a contactless reader," the official said. "We had run a pilot of the service on buses … and received a tremendous positive feedback."
The official said Delhi Transport introduced the service in a November pilot test and operated it for two months in the Indian city.
"Passengers could buy the smart card for a bare minimum of 25 rupees [54 U.S. cents] on the bus and at bus stations," he said. "After the initial 25 rupees run out, the passenger can refill the card at the bus stations."
If the corporation introduces the system citywide, smart cards and their top-ups would be available at all major bus stations, the official said.
Delhi Transport data showed that the corporation issued 560 smart cards, some for free, during the trial.
