The Bengaluru Metro Rail Transport Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) are collaborating to introduce a common mobility card for commuters in Bengaluru. According to BMTC, the new interoperable smart card will be piloted in late August or early September.

According to BMTC, the smart card will be provided by the BMRCL, which can be utilised in buses as well. The BMTC is planning on using its existing Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) so that commuters can use the interoperable smart cards for buses and the metro.

“The existing ETMs are being upgraded with an Android system to facilitate online payment. Currently, BMTC is looking into sorting out the technical constraints regarding the payment gateways and the software to be used. BMTC already had a plan to upgrade its existing ETMs but BMRCL approached us and asked us to collaborate so we decided to go with an interoperable smart card,” a senior BMTC official told TNM.

The metro has decided to install separate entry and exit gates for those with the common mobility card as the existing system allows only tickets and metro smart cards.

“The logistical problems are there in phase 1 metro stations. We will install the new ticket collection gates which are being designed by BEL. The pilot project will be in Baiyappanahalli and Majestic metro stations. In all stations in phase 2, the entry and exit gates will be the same from both smart card holders, ticket holders and the common mobility card holders. The software that will be used in the new gates in phase 2 will enable it. Since we cannot change all the entry and exit gates in phase 1 stations, we will have to add separate gates,” a BMRCL official said.

The BMTC official said that the new mobility cards will be priced between Rs 50 and Rs 100 and not more. “The cards can be used as a credit or debit card. So we are figuring out the software and payment gateways that will be used. It should be ready in a couple of months,” the BMTC official added.