The Aam Aadmi Party government’s common mobility initiative officially took off on Friday as Delhi Metro smart cards can now be used for bus services being operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
The new system aims to make the metro smart card a “common mobility card” which can be used interchangeably on Delhi Metro and on buses. The initiative, not known to many, is aimed at reducing hassles for commuters.
However, the bus commuters said not many of them necessarily utilised both means of transport.
Renu Devi (38) said: “I had no idea about the new system. Also, I do not take the metro.”
Another bus commuter, Ashfaq Ali (65), said: “People who do not use the metro take buses. Why give the conductors more to do? They are busy during peak hours anyway.”
“Not everyone can afford to travel by metro. I do not want to get some fancy card. I am happy paying the small sum,” said 29-year-old Daya Nand.
Some, however, seemed more optimistic than their fellow travellers. Sumit Kumar, a 15-year-old student, thought the idea was impressive. “One card for both the metro and bus seems like a good idea. I have heard of this programme but did not try it yet,” he said.
Prem Kumar (42) who travels from Hauz Khas to Nehru Place daily was too in favour of the idea. “One card for all seems very efficient and convenient. Now I can just carry one card everywhere I go. Saves me from the hassle to get change every day for the conductor.”
Conductors displeased
Some of the conductors, on the other hand, were not pleased with the new system. Vijay Kumar (40), a conductor for five years, said he does not know how to use the new electronic ticketing machines which are at the core of the initiative. “I need to be fast with my work as many people take the bus. Most of them do not have a metro card anyway,” he said.
Shahar Sharma, another conductor, said: “None of these machines work. Whenever I try receiving payment from the card, the machine displays an error message. I hope new ones come soon.”
