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Common smart card for Metro, mono, buses and trains gets back on track
MUMBAI: The MMRDA has revived the long-pending plan of integrated ticketing system (ITS) — a common mobility card or smart card — for all modes of transport in the
MUMBAI: The MMRDA has revived the long-pending plan of integrated ticketing system (ITS) — a common mobility card or smart card — for all modes of transport in the city and will now execute it with technical assistance from the World Bank (WB). The MMRDA had put the plan on hold, after the ministry of urban development (MoUD) informed them that they were mulling a similar card for modes of public transport across the country. MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has revived the long-pending plan of integrated ticketing system (ITS) -- a common mobility card or smart card -- for all modes of transport in the city and will now execute it with technical assistance from the World Bank (WB).
The MMRDA had put the plan on hold, after the ministry of urban development (MoUD) informed them that they were mulling a similar card for modes of public transport across the country. But with no further development on the Centre’s plan, the agency has decided to go ahead with the local smart card for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The project will facilitate purchase of tickets for suburban trains, Metro, monorail and public transport buses in the MMR.
MMRDA commissioner UPS Madan said the local smart card system will be merged with the national one, after it is launched. “We are taking efforts to launch our card, for which the World Bank is expected to provide technical support. Later, it will be merged with the national card,” Madan said.
Earlier, this year, the MMRDA had invited tenders to appoint consultants to prepare a plan for the ITS.
The state authorities had earlier tried to implement a similar scheme — the Go Mumbai card — in Mumbai between 2007 and 2010. However, the scheme failed to get good response. Transport experts have said ineffective cost-sharing formula and poor implementation were responsible for the response.
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