KSRTC records uptick in digital payments

DAVANAGERE

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) achieved notable success in digital payments, collecting Rs 10 crore in eight months. This achievement follows KSRTC's intensified promotion of UPI payments since November 2024. The organisation aims to collect Rs 1 crore daily through digital means, targeting 50 percent of all transactions. Passengers embraced the QR code payment system for bus fares, despite initial technical difficulties. The digital payment implementation resolved issues related to small change, enhancing the travel experience and reducing conflicts between passengers and conductors. The Davanagere division also introduced UPI payments via smart Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs) in November. Travellers now complete transactions using applications like PhonePe and Google Pay. Digital payments are more prevalent on long-distance routes with reliable network coverage. Inter-district and interstate services show higher digital transaction rates when compared to urban and rural routes. City passengers display less inclination towards UPI payments for smaller fares.

Premium service users typically book tickets online in advance. From November 2024 to June 15, 2025, the division collected Rs 11 crore via UPI across its three depots.  Monthly collections increased steadily from Rs 29.2 lakh in November 2024 to Rs 1.9 crore during June 2025. The division manages 404 buses with 490 ETMs, including backup units. Occasional technical issues led to payment deductions without ticket issuance, causing disputes. The refund system improved, with reimbursements now processed within 48 hours, reduced from one week previously. Passengers are showing a preference for digital payments, and if a ticket is not printed, the amount is credited to their account within 24 hours. We solved some technical issues, and we are expecting more digital payments in our division, said Kiran Kumar Basapur, KSRTC Divisional Controller.