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News18
7 days ago
- Business
- News18
Why Wait In Line? Kochi Metro Goes Full Digital With UPI At Ticket Machines
Last Updated: With the new feature, passengers can now buy metro tickets quickly by scanning a QR code using any UPI-enabled mobile app. Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has now introduced UPI-based ticket payments at Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) across all metro stations. The feature was officially launched by Transport Commissioner Nagaraju C at JLN Stadium Station. Why UPI at TVMs? The aim is to make ticketing smoother, faster, and more convenient for daily commuters. Instead of carrying cash or waiting in line, passengers can now simply scan a QR code and pay using any UPI-enabled mobile app. This new method reduces waiting times, helps avoid crowding at ticket counters, and provides a safe, contactless payment experience—especially useful during peak hours. What Did the Officials Say? Loknath Behera, Managing Director of KMRL, shared that only a few metro systems in India have such a feature, and Kochi Metro is proud to be one of them. 'Our goal is to move towards a fully digital ticketing system," he said, highlighting the series of digital initiatives taken by the metro over the past few years, as per Onmanorama. KMRL has already rolled out several digital ticketing methods like the Kochi1 app, WhatsApp and Google Wallet-based ticketing. It has also joined hands with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), making tickets available via apps such as Google Maps, Paytm, PhonePe, RedBus, Rapido, and more. What's Next? KMRL has improved QR code scanning speed at entry gates, making the entire metro journey smoother. With these upgrades, more commuters are choosing digital tickets, bringing Kochi closer to a fully cashless and convenient metro experience. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Kochi Metro ticket-vending machines get UPI ‘update'
KOCHI: To enhance commuter convenience and reduce congestion at ticket counters, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is introducing ticket vending machines with a unified payments interface (UPI) system to facilitate purchase of tickets at all its stations from Monday. KMRL MD Loknath Behera will launch the facility at a function at JLN metro station at 3pm. 'Until now, commuters could purchase tickets from the vending machines using cash only. They will now be able to use any kind of UPI app to buy tickets,' an official said. Kochi Metro introduced QR ticketing on WhatsApp last year, allowing passengers to book tickets through WhatsApp by sending a message to 9188957488. Book via app, too Mobile QR tickets using Kochi1 cards
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KSRTC travel card gains traction, demand rises for unified ticketing
KOCHI: With the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) rolling out a travel card, there are now calls from several quarters for an integrated ticketing system — on the lines of the Kochi1 card — to facilitate seamless travel across multiple modes of transport. However, several hurdles remain in implementing services such as the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), also known as 'One Nation, One Card' -- a contactless debit card developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) for payments across transport systems. While the 'Chalo' card and app, rolled out by KSRTC, are being hailed as a solution to problems like 'change' (coins and smaller-denomination currency), they are part of a closed-loop payment system that doesn't permit integration with other transport modes. 'The closed-loop system involves risk of fraud by stakeholders. BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation) switched over from closed loop to open loop after it lost Rs 4,000 after staff of a single bus deleted ticketing data and siphoned off the amount. The open-loop system is now increasingly being adopted the world over due to security concerns. Practically, it can't be integrated with other modes of transport or the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce),' said G P Hari, former additional general manager (urban transport), Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL). The closest the state has come to implementing a single-ticketing system was in 2018 when the Kochi1 card, introduced by KMRL, was extended to private buses in the city. Seven private bus companies signed an agreement with KMRL for the smart cards and the facility was extended to nearly 900 buses run by Perfect Bus Metro Services, Kochi Metropolitan Transport Co-operative Society Ltd, My Metro, Muziris, Prateeksha Transport Operators Organisation Pvt Ltd, Kochi Wheelz United, and Greater Cochin Bus Transport. 'However, the initiative was wound down during the Covid lockdown when bus operators withdrew after Axis Bank put forward additional conditions. Also, there were issues like electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) developing glitches,' said Navas K M, a bus owner and member of Kochi Wheelz United. Demand for discounts Meanwhile, experts are advocating introducing discounts, similar to Kochi Metro, for luring more commuters to purchase travel cards, while they back up the KSRTC initiative to roll out the smartcard-based payment system.
