Every day, BMTC commuters face the hustle of retail transactions when purchasing tickets. Presently, BMTC offers a QR Code service, allowing passengers to scan and pay, effectively resolving the retail issue. The introduction of UPI payments has garnered positive feedback, with over 35 lakh daily travelers in BMTC buses, including 20 lakh women. Among them, 15 lakh passengers opt for traditional payment methods, while one lakh have switched to UPI for ticket purchases, delighting passengers with a seamless transaction experience.
In addition to single tickets, passengers increasingly prefer digital payments for day and monthly passes, with 50 thousand monthly passes now bought using UPI, eradicating retail challenges. Notably, 32 percent of Volvo bus commuters also embrace digital payments. Initially met with tepid response, UPI payments have witnessed a surge in usage, according to BMTC Chief Traffic Manager G.T. Prabhakar.
The success of digital payments is evident in QR ticket revenues, which reached ₹5.54 crore in November, ₹5.91 crore in December, and ₹5.96 crore in January, contributing to BMTC’s monthly revenue exceeding ₹85 crore. To further streamline transactions, BMTC plans to incorporate QR codes into ETM machines, enhancing convenience for both passengers and conductors while encouraging more individuals to embrace digital payment methods.
