Talking machines to greet commuters at token counters

Delhi Metro is all set to become more people-friendly. Token counters at stations of the two busiest lines — Gurgaon-Jahangirpuri and Noida-Dwarka — will boast of talking machines, especially designed to help the visually impaired and illiterate commuters.

Delhi Metro is all set to become more people-friendly. Token counters at stations of the two busiest lines — Gurgaon-Jahangirpuri and Noida-Dwarka — will boast of talking machines, especially designed to help the visually impaired and illiterate commuters.

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The system will ensure that commuters tender exact fare while purchasing tokens.

“If you have to travel between Barakhamba and Mayur Vihar, you will hear the amount of the fare — R15 — through a pre-recorded voice at the token counter,” said an official of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

At a crowded counter sometimes, the small display board cannot be seen. The DMRC has received several complaints regarding overcharging by the personnel at token counters.

“We have received several complaints from commuters about overcharging and undercharging by the men issuing tokens at the counters. This is possible due to two reasons. One is communication gap while the other is intentional. The new system will resolve the problem,” said Vikas Kumar, general manager (Operation), DMRC.

Kapil Rawtani, a resident of Malviya Nagar, said: “Recently, while travelling between AIIMS and Malviya Nagar, I was given a token of R10 instead of Rs 12.

After reaching Malviya Nagar, I had to pay a fine of Rs 50 and Rs 2 as additional fare. This happened due to the negligence of ticketing executives at AIIMS station.”

The DMRC had installed the talking machines at the Barakhamba Metro station on a trial basis about 15 days ago.

In coming months, the same system will be placed at all Metro stations of the two proposed lines. “Subsequently, all Metro stations will be covered,” added the officer.