Bengaluru: BMTC’s quest to become digital wallet compatible has been hampered by technical glitches and the commuters will have to wait for few more months for its roll out.
The transport provider was looking to replace its electronic ticketing machines with an Android-based ticketing system that will allow commuters to buy tickets through digital wallets.
BMTC sources said the project will be delayed by five more months and even then it will be introduced only for airport bound services on a trial basis.
A BMTC official told Deccan Chronicle, "The project is still under progress and we have approached many private companies to submit report to convert to Android-based ticketing system. It has been delayed because of some technical reasons.”
He pointed out that unlike KSRTC and other private online services, BMTC faces a different challenge because the trips are of shorter duration.
This new system is to provide payment options for commuters, who currently can buy a ticket only by paying cash. The corporation has no plans to allow ticket purchases through debit cards, due to technical challenges, and RBI guidelines.
Under the Android-based system, BMTC will accept payments using QR Code from passengers, who have installed digital wallets in their smartphones.
"The idea behind introducing this facility only for airport services is to get an accurate report of new technology. It will be very easy because the destination is common. The person who is coming from Delhi, can easily book his BMTC ticket sitting in far Delhi itself. Hope this digital wallet will help us to increase patronage for our airport services," official added.
Currently BMTC operates 80 buses daily with 69 schedules to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) from different parts of the city.
In the recent past, the BMTC made two attempts to introduce digital payments options, but the response has been lacklustre.
Its Axis Bank-partnered open loop smart card faced several glitches and has been a non-starter. The other one Namma Pass project, which allows passengers to buy a digital bus pass, is also receiving poor patronage, due to the cumbersome process.
