Even as the counters for the sale of Namma Metro travel cards opened up for customers on Friday evening soon after it was launched by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, many turned up at the metro stations to purchase them on Saturday, the first full-fledged day for sale of the travel cards.
While over 330 cards were sold at the counters, 257 were sold online on Saturday, drawing a total revenue of Rs. 69,000. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) authorities are expecting sales to gather pace, especially after the date for the first commercial run is announced. The police, according to BMRCL officials, expect about 60,000 commuters to use the metro daily in the first few weeks after the launch.
As media reports of the launch of the travel card hit the news stands on Saturday, many people visited the six metro stations of Reach-1 where the cards are being sold from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Besides the metro stations, cards are also being sold at online and SBI branches (for bank customers).
The beginning
By afternoon, around 70 travel cards were sold at the M.G. Road station. In fact, Namma Metro employee Rajashekhar told The Hindu that two customers had purchased cards with a value worth Rs. 1,000.
In the other five stations, BMRCL employees at the counters had sold about 50 cards each by late afternoon. Most, if not all customers, had opted for the Rs. 100 denomination card: Rs. 50 for the card and Rs. 50 worth currency for travel.
At the Ulsoor station, Naseem at the ticket counter said as it was the weekend he had expected more purchases. At the C.M.H. (Chinmaya Mission Hospital) Road Station too, Metro employee Mamatha said people were streaming in to learn about the cards. However, at the Byappanahalli Metro Depot, the starting point of Reach-1, the response was rather cold. But BMRCL officials reasoned that it was only the first day of sale.
Curiosity
Apart from actual potential commuters of the metro, there were many who were buying the cards out of curiosity. One such customer was S.R. Naveen from Sanjaynagar, who was at the M.G. Road station with his wife and son. All three of them purchased a card each.
Some Bescom linemen on M.G. Road bought the cards as “they looked nice and are reasonably priced”. However, they were not sure if they would use the card.
