Dysfunctional Metro QR scanners; commuters upset

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Metro commuters in the city have complained that the scanners at AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) gates in various metro stations are not functioning properly. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on November 1 set up the QR ticketing system, enabling commuters to buy tickets through their smartphones.

Commuters now need not wait in long lines and can buy their single-journey tickets through the Namma Metro app or through Whatsapp. However, a few commuters have complained that the scanners at AFC (Automatic Fare Collection) gates in various metro stations are not in a functional state.

“I purchased a QR ticket at the Attiguppe metro station and tried to check in but the scanner refused to detect my code. When I approached the customer care unit, they directed me towards the entry point where a single scanner was working,” said a regular commuter who travels from Attiguppe to Cubbon Park.

Kalpana, a government employee who uses the metro to travel to Vidhana Soudha on a daily basis, noted that those with QR tickets that are not being processed hold up the long queues at the exit points. “It might not be of much inconvenience to many who can spare a few minutes but might agitate those who are running late and discourage them from using the public transport,” she added.

The BMRCL witnessed over 1,795 tickets being sold on the first day of the scheme being introduced, following which they sold over 1,877 tickets on the second day. The corporation hoped to see a rise in ticket sales in the coming days. It has been successful. Many are lauding the technological intervention which has made their lives a little easier on the social media platform Twitter.  

“Just tried the new BMRCL metro ticket booking system on WhatsApp and I'm seriously impressed! The interface is user-friendly, and the QR code validation is super quick. It's great to see technology makes our lives easier. Well done, BMRCL!,” tweeted Sivasubramaniam Jayaraman. However, the BMRCL needs to pay attention to details in order to keep the initiative successfully running and away from being redundant.