In a bid to enhance convenience for commuters, Kolkata Metro has rolled out a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment-based ticketing system across all automatic smart card recharge machines (ASCRM) at stations of the North-South corridor.
This system previously implemented on the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade and Sector V-Sealdah corridors of the East-West Metro but now this facility will be available in all ASCRM machines of Blue Line (Dakshineswar-New Garia).
In collaboration with the State Bank of India and the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), Metro Railway authorities have rolled out this UPI-based ticketing system to enhance the commuter experience and streamline the ticket purchasing process.
The Metro Railway Kolkata said in a statement on Sunday that the new system simplifies the process of purchasing tickets. Commuters can now purchase tokens or recharge their smart cards at any station on the North-South corridor from these machines using UPI payments without any hassle.
“If a commuter wants to travel to DumDum, he needs to type the first letter of the station i.e. D on the screen, then an auto-pop-up will come on the screen showing all the station names starting with D. After the commuter selects the name of the destination station on the screen and then the payment page will appear offering a UPI payment option. Upon selecting the UPI Payment option, commuters will have to scan the QR code on the dual display board at the ticket counters to complete the transaction,” the statement added.
The UPI-based ticketing system has already been introduced in all stations of Green Line 1 and Green Line 2. It was first introduced at the Sealdah station of the East-West Line on May 7.
Following a positive response from Metro users, authorities are considering extending this alternative ticketing facility to the Ruby-New Garia and Joka-Taratala sections as well for the benefit of the commuters soon.
Meanwhile, the Kolkata Metro will run a special night service on its North-South Line. One train will leave from Dum Dum at 11 pm, while the other will depart from Kavi Subhash in Garia at the same time.
The train will go through Kavi Subhash, Kavi Nazrul, Shahid Khudiram, Gitanjali, Netaji, Masterda Surya Sen, Rabindra Sarobar, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, Kalighat, Netaji Bhavan, Jatin Das Park, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan, Esplanade, Park Street, Central, Chandni Chowk, Girish Park, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Shobhabazar Sutanuti, Belgachhia, Shyam bazaar, Dum Dum.