The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is planning to bring a new concept of a contactless ticketing system and that is why it has invited private companies and startups to bid for this contract. After observing and considering the pandemic situation, DMRC jumped to this conclusion so that social distancing and contactless payment will be promoted more.
That’s why DMRC is planning to upgrade its existing provisional system with QR (quick response), cards, and RuPay-based ticketing system. The authorities said that the upgrade has to be in line with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) standards so that the technology is evenly scalable across all Delhi Metro stations, retail outlets and parking lots, and other facilities.
In an interview with the Economic Times, DMRC executive director informed that it has invited expressions of interest for installations of QR code stickers, EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) based ticketing system.
This also supports ‘one nation one mobility’ or NCMC, which was launched earlier in December 2020, with a focused aim to make Indian citizens experience contactless ticketing at many international airports. There were a couple of airports that were pushed to incorporate this tech-based solution to promote social distancing – New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and other cities with international airports.
Bengaluru airport management – BAIL – has successfully managed to introduce a unique solution to ensure contactless journeys for passengers starting from pre-entry checks to security checks and boarding.
After imposing lockdown in the whole country, Delhi metro was shut down for nearly six months and eventually it resumed in September 2020. The continuation of metro services demanded the Aarogya Setu app for passengers, along with face masks, sanitizers, and temperature checks.
Before the pandemic situation, DMRC has signed a deal with Maxima Digital and Techno Sat Comm Consortium to offer free high-speed internet services for passengers on Delhi Metro for the first time in India.