KSRTC buses | Photo: Mathrubhumi
KSRTC is all set to switch to smart options with the introduction of Smart Travel Cards in Kerala. With this, the ticket sale inside the bus will transition to the digital method. Two lakh smart cards have been arranged for this purpose. During the first phase, the travel cards will be given to the passengers travelling in Thiruvananthapuram city buses.
Apart from the 400 cards being used on an experimental basis, 5000 cards will be distributed soon. The passengers in city circular, city shuttle and city radial buses can avail this opportunity. This will later be implemented in other buses including superfast buses. Smart cards will also be introduced in other districts soon. The cards are made using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.
Once the distribution of ticket machines is completed, there won’t be much delay in card distribution. The software in the ticket machines has to be updated to use the cards. This process is ongoing. Though the travel cards introduced in 2017 were a success, they had to be retrieved after a year due to technical issues. The new cards will be introduced after fixing these issues.
What is a Smart Travel Card?
It is a card that can be used for paying travel fares by recharging it beforehand. The cards can be recharged on buses and in stations.
To know the balance
When taking a ticket using the card, the balance amount on the card will be printed on the receipt. The balance can also be checked on the ticket machine with the help of the conductor.
No fee for card
The card will be distributed to people free of cost. Tickets can be taken for the entire amount recharged. For those who recharge the Smart Travel Card for Rs 100, journey worth Rs 150 is allowed. Recharge can be done for up to Rs 2000. Those who recharge for above Rs 250 will get a 10 per cent discount. The recharge validity is for a year. If not used within that period, the card will have to be activated again.
Anyone can use
There is no condition that the owner himself/herself has to use the card. The card can be used by friends or family of an individual.
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