The Namma Metro smart card. | Photo Credit: File Photo
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has introduced day-long and three-day passes that will allow holders to use Namma Metro for unlimited travel for the duration. The passes are along the lines of those issued by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).
While this initiative will come in handy for commuters who do not need a monthly Namma Metro smart card, the rate, especially for the day pass, has people sceptical of its success. BMRCL has priced the one-day pass at ₹200, while the three-day pass will cost ₹400.
The passes will be available at all metro ticket counters. Both one and three-day passes include a security deposit of ₹50, which will be returned to the commuter on the return of the smart card, in good condition at any of the customer centres at metro stations.
“This is a good idea. Many people who visit the city for a short duration on personal or business trips will find this useful. However, I am doubtful how attractive ₹200 for a single-day pass will be, even with the deposit returned. How many people would make so many trips a single day to make paying ₹200 worthwhile? Slightly longer-duration passes will be more beneficial, and BMRCL should consider introducing a 7-day pass as well,” said Suresh Kumar from Kasturinagar.
Susan Varghese, another regular commuter, had a similar opinion. “I can buy short-duration passes for my parents when they visit me. But the day-long pass is expensive. I would have to travel from Baiyappanahlli to Kengeri and back three times to get the benefit of the pass. It would be cheaper to purchase individual tokens for multiple short trips as well,” she said.
Refund for unclaimed top-ups
BMRCL has also announced that it will refund unclaimed online smart card top-ups with a cancellation fee of 2.5% of the recharge amount. This will come into effect from April 2. “The recharge amounts to smart cards done by the commuters online i.e. website or mobile apps can be updated on their smart cards by tapping at the AFC gate after one hour and within seven days from the time of recharge or at Card Top-Up Terminals (CTT) anytime within 15 days from the date of recharge,” BMRCL said in a press release.
However, if the commuters are unable to update the balance amount on their smart cards within 15 days, such unclaimed amounts will be refunded (through the same channel) within 30 days from the date of recharge with a deduction of cancellation fee of 2.5% of the recharge amount, BMRCL said in a statement on Wednesday.
