KSRTC to roll out 1 lakh smart cards
KSRTC has already sold 90,000 cards over the past few months and officials say demand is growing steadily among regular passengers.
Transport minister KB Ganesh Kumar said 50,000 more cards will be made available soon and the rest will be released in the coming months.
While KSRTC is moving ahead with digital ticketing, private bus operators still prefer cash transactions and are reluctant to shift to digital payments.
It may take longer before digital ticketing becomes a reality in private buses across the state.
Student concession will soon be shifted to smart cards, replacing the current paper-based concession cards, the minister said. These smart cards will let students travel on KSRTC buses for 25 days a month, including Saturdays. To use the card, students can swipe it on the conductor's handheld ticket machine during each ride.
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This swiping process helps confirm the student's identity and is designed to prevent misuse of the concession facility.
The smart card also allows students to make multiple trips each day. KSRTC plans to implement this change in a phased manner, starting with select regions. The aim is to reduce long queues and make the process easier.
Students can apply for or recharge the smart concession cards online or through the existing app, making the entire process more convenient.
Kumar also said the department would make sure private buses allow students to travel. There have been many complaints that some bus operators avoid students because the concessional fare is low. At present, private buses charge students Re 1.
However, digital payments in private buses may take time, as the transport department will not make it mandatory. The minister said it is up to the bus owners to decide whether they want to introduce a digital payment system.
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