Passengers on the Delhi subway network soon may be able to recharge their transit smart cards at ATMs and retail outlets to relieve congestion at rail stations, a spokesperson for the Delhi Metro Rail Corp. tells PaymentsSource.
“We have received feedback that the current methods of recharging maybe a bit taxing to the public,” he says. “We are looking at options that can be an alternate to standing in queues at stations.”
Today, passengers have to line up at stations to recharge their transit cards by paying cash. This results in congestion at major stations and discomfort to consumers, who have complained to the operator.
The corporation is in the process of evaluating technologies to use to recharge its cards at ATMs and at point-of-sale terminals, and the goal is to make the additional access available to the public in six months, the spokesperson says.
“Besides the ATM and POS option, we are also looking at recharging these cards through online banking or through the use of credit and debit cards online,” he adds. “Passengers will then have enough options to standing in a line.”
Delhi Metro has issued 5.8 million metro cards since the inception of the network in 2002, and it sells about 12,000 smart cards every day.
The metro smart card is rechargeable in multiples of 50 rupees (99 U.S. cents or 73 euro cents) up to a maximum limit of 800 rupees. Passengers pay a security deposit of 50 rupees, and there is no extra charge to renew a card.
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