The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) is undergoing a technological revolution this summer.
The transport body has introduced e-ticketing in its buses which will be operational from July 15. The system has been installed in 15 buses at a cost of Rs 50 lakh and more 75 buses will have this facility by June 1.
The system, apart from issuing bus tickets, will facilitate passengers in booking their railway and air tickets, in paying bills and taxes, among many other services.
The NMMT is also planning to install Global Position System (GPS) and Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) at all bus depots and buses to help the waiting passengers know the expected arrival time, position of the buses and other details.
The system, in the first phase, is being introduced at six prominent depots in the city. At present, 30 buses will be equipped with VTS. The Vashi depot was installed with the e-ticketing, GPS and VTS on Friday.
“We have spent Rs 50 lakh for installing GPS in 30 buses. It will cost us Rs 50,000 for each of the additional buses,” said
NMMT General Manager Sanjay Katkar.
As for the e-ticketing system, passengers will only have to swipe a smartcard that will be available at all depots/terminus. The machine, to be monitored by the conductor, will issue the ticket, calculate the exact fare and also
return the change.
As for the e-ticketing system, passengers will only have to swipe a smartcard that will be available at all depots/terminus. The machine, to be monitored by the conductor, will issue the ticket, calculate the exact fare and also
return the change.
The machine will also provide statistics on the number of passengers on each route and the rush-hour timing at the press of a button. “We will also be saving Rs 1.50 lakh per month spent on calculating the staff salaries,” claimed Katkar.
While, the NMMT will earn 40 per cent of the revenue share generated by the machine, Tapi Soft Infotech, the company that has developed the system and responsible for the installation and maintenance, will earn 60 per cent of the revenue.