Opinion

WayTowards Digital Metros

Authored by:

Priyanka Sahu Di rector, Bu si n ess Devel opm ent Symbroj Med i a Pvt Ltd

Digitalization i subcontinent. Indian version s not a very Instead, the c is indeed very old th oncept new. It ing for the Indian is very old, but it's came into limelight after the demonetization process announcement by the government of India in November 2016. The Digital India movement gained a rapid pace just afterthe countryfaced a total shortage ofpapermoney. The concept behind the use ofdigital moneythat is based on the number system is to reduce the use of paper money, which further helps to reduce the cost spent by the government in printing notes. Printing of notes takes a huge amount of investment, human resource and time as well as the best quality of papers which are imported from other countries. The government aims to reduce this cost and thus, in turn, helps payment interfaces. Before the demonetization process, the online payment services were chargeable. Paying fora job application included a payment interface charges ofaround Rs 20-30 just fora payment ofRs 500. The digital process was then not as easyas it is today. When the government took the initiative to change the system with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introducing the UPI payment system, the online payment system got transformed in a fewyears. In the year2016, onlyPaytm used to be the sole playerin the game. With the coming ofUPI, a host ofnew players have come into the field and government is also helping these players, which further helps in reducing the payment interface service charges to zero. Today, we can see a lot ofmobile apps available working on the UPI payment system. The Metro Corporations had been using a blended model which included recharge of smart cards with both cash as well as through online payment mode as the Coronavirus spread has created a newdemand ofgoing forentirelycashless. One alternative to the existing system could be the ambitious scheme ofthe central government, “National Common Mobility Card” or (NCMC) launched by prime minister Narendra Modi in March last year during the launch of the first phase of Ahmedabad Metro in Ahmedabad. The scheme commonly known as ‘One Nation One Card‘ Scheme is an umbrella program underthe ministry ofhousing and urban affairs ofGovernment of India. This scheme proposes to include a common payment option forvarious services with being an indigenous prepaid card supported by the national payments corporation ofIndia led the Rupaypayments system. The Digitalization in the metro faring systems will not only help the commuters orthe metro corporations, but it will also help the government to reduce its expenditures on the printing of banknotes. The revenue generated by payment interface service providers will further help the startups and boost the Make in India concept. The largest Metro network of the country, Delhi Metro run by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation ( DMRC) has announced that it is not going to entertain any cash transactions on its network with going fullydigital in the ticketing system. The ways which can be used to recharge the smart cards are:-

1. WEB orOnline: Smart cards can be recharged through the WEB or online by using Credit/Debit Card or online payment (www.dmrcsmartcard.com). Smart Card recharged through this method is to be validated by showing it at Ticket Reader cum AVMs available at Metro stations.

2. E-wallets like Paytm: Smart Cards can be recharged using Paytm. Validation ofSmart Card after recharging is required to be done at TR cum AVMs available at the customer care centre ofall stations.

3. POS (Point of Sale Machine): Smart Card can be recharged through POS machines using Credit/Debit Card/Bharat QR Code at customercare centre ofall Metro stations.

4. Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs): These are available at all Metro stations wherein one can recharge the smart card by using Credit/Debit card.

5. Autope Smart Cards: These cards are available through the App ‘Autope’. These cards are enabled with auto top-up facility at AFC Gates itself, eliminating the need to go for o;nline or offline mode to recharge smart card. The Lucknow Metro the other hand, has come up with a new card called Go Smart card. According to the UPMRC, the nodal agency for operating the Lucknow Metro says, " The Go Smart Cardsaves both time and money as the users have to no longer stand in queues for buying tickets/tokens, moreover they get a 10% discount on the fare (of journey) each time they travel. Besides these There are few more things which can be given a digital shape in the Metros. In the metro coaches, AI-based digital displays can be used in place ofaudio which creates noise pollution in the metro coaches. The digitalization in the collection of fare will ensure health safetyand transparency. The further thing which the metro corporations may do is code technology can be used in making it more accessible. The AFC gates shall adapt to such technologies which further helps use. Metro Corporations can develop integrated Android & iOS apps to make the process smoother. As a person who boards a metro train just for a single trip in a year would never like to buy a when it comes to cater the demands of passengers in such difficult times ofthe Pandemic.

will not only ease up things but also be safer because of the Pandemic. This is the work of the government and these Metro Corporations to bring in use few more methods of digitalization which will further not only ease up the ticketing system but also help to increase the revenue collection ofthe Metros. The way forward is not too easy, neither it is an instant method. The things will take time to get in the readyto do mode. However, ground.

benefits, ‘Go Smart’ card users can also enjoy free Wi-Fi facility at the Metro Stations forwhich they just have to tap their card at the card reader. Tokens can also be purchased through Token Vending Machine (TVM) using ‘Go Smart’ Card, so a user’s relatives and friends can purchase tickets using the same card". replacing the physical tokens ortickets with digital tickets. The QR the ticketing system through QR codes more efficient and easyto smart card, it is the responsibility of the Metro Authorities to ensure that interests of such passengers are not neglected. The QR based online ticketing system will surely be of great benefit initiatives are needed to be taken to ensure that things start on the