A common card that would allow commuters in the Capital and the National Capital Region to make easy transition between bus, metro rail and Northern Railway services has been mooted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.
Similar to the “Oyster Card” used in London, the proposed “Master Card” is aimed at enabling commuters to travel seamlessly on different modes of transport in the National Capital Region.
Making its suggestion to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, Delhi Transport Corporation and Northern Railway, ASSOCHAM said they should forge an alliance to evolve a mechanism for issuing a common card.
ASSOCHAM secretary-general D. S. Rawat said the “Oyster Card” facility prevalent in London to enable commuters to travel within the city by transport facilities of their choice should be emulated.
“In London, commuting through this card is permitted in bus, tube, trams and national rail service. Since the NCR now provides for multiple transportation system which includes bus, railways and metro services, a similar facility of Master Card should be created in the NCR so that commuters can use different modes of transportation of their choice,” said Mr. Rawat in a statement.
According to Mr. Rawat, the new card would allow commuters to spend lesser time commuting and help reduce the existing congestion on the transport system provided the Master Card is priced at affordable rates.
He said by permitting a Master Card on Northern Railway’s local trains which ferry officer-goers to Delhi from adjoining places like Meerut, Faridabad and Sonepat, the Master Card can be a viable option for such commuters.
“The proposed card should be offered at affordable price tag without hurting the revenues of any of transportation system. The suggestion if accepted will provide huge relief not only to commuters but also to those that manage public transportation in Delhi and NCR and reduce lot of paper work,” said Mr. Rawat.
ASSOCHAM has also suggested that facilitation centres be set up at major metro stations, DTC buses and other key locations in the NCR for easy recharge of the card.
