Kolkata Metro Promotes Digital Ticketing; Commuters Urge Smart Card Policy Reform

In order to encourage different digital payment modes amongst the commuters and enhance the share of digital transactions in ticketing, Special Camps were organised on 19.02.2025 by Metro staff at all stations of Blue Line, Orange Line, Purple Line, Green Line-1 and Green Line-2.

In these camps, Metro users were apprised about ‘Metro Ride Kolkata’ app & fecilitating downloading from Google Play Store (Android) and App Store (iOS). Metro staff also demonstrated the procedures to use it. Metro commuters were also helped to purchase tokens and recharge / buy their Smart Cards through ASCRM machines with the help of UPI Payment Based Ticketing System. They have shown keen interest to shift to digital system and adopt smart ways to purchase tokens, Smart Cards and recharge it. They were visibly happy as this digital mode is helping them to save their valuable time as they don’t need to stand in the long queues in front of the booking counters to recharge or purchase their Smart Cards or purchase tickets.

Special promotional films (on how to download and use this commuter-friendly app) are also being shown on platform televisions of Blue Line, Green Line-1 and Green Line-2 Metro stations. Official Social Media handles of Metro Railway are also being used to popularise this app.

It is worth mentioning that the digital transaction of Metro Railway has already crossed 30 percent of its total transaction.

However, on the same day around 16.35 hours the correspondent while returning from an official work, directly entered the Sahid Khudiram Metro Station to travel towards Dakshineswar. He was aware of the fact that the Smart Card had enough monetary balance to pursue a hassle free comfortable journey. After the office bag was thoroughly scrutinised by the On-Duty RPF personnel, the correspondent while swiping the Smart Card on the Kiosk of the Automated Gate, noticed that the Card was declined. Upon repetition, it was again declined. At the behest of the RPF personnel, he walked towards the Cash Counter, where it was informed that the Card has lapsed on 04^th. February, 2025, and a sum of Rs. 390/- has been forfeited. He pledged with the Counter Executive to recharge the card, enabling to relapse the forfeited amount. The Executive was very cordial & soft spoken, but expressed his inability to act accordingly.

The impeccable & secured operations of Kolkata Metro have been globally acclaimed. Is it not possible for the most learned Metro authorities to introduce a system – wherein forfeited amount due to the expiry of the Smart Card validity can be relapsed after successful Recharge?

Team Maverick