In a significant milestone for digital payments in public transport, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has successfully achieved ₹1 crore in daily revenue through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. This landmark was reached within a month of launching the initiative to promote cashless ticketing.
According to BMTC officials, there has been a steady rise in digital transactions since the beginning of the year. On January 9, daily UPI collections stood at ₹56.6 lakh, which increased to ₹60.05 lakh by January 13. The upward trend continued, reaching ₹80.1 lakh on January 20, ₹90.9 lakh on January 27, and finally surpassing the ₹1 crore mark on February 3.
“The share of ticket sales made through UPI payments has significantly grown, now accounting for 32% of total collections, compared to just 10% previously. The adoption of QR code-based payments has also shown a remarkable jump. In January 2025 alone, UPI transactions have already contributed ₹19.66 crore,” officials said
Strategic initiatives
BMTC officials attributed this success to several strategic initiatives, including brainstorming sessions with depot managers and senior officials. “These sessions focused on identifying challenges associated with digital payments and formulating solutions to enhance adoption rates. Bus conductors and commuters were encouraged to transition to UPI payments, addressing concerns such as network connectivity and awareness about the system,” official explained.
Another official said that one of the key drivers behind the shift to UPI payments has been the fare hike implemented recently. The minimum fare was increased from ₹5 to ₹6, while the maximum fare for non-air-conditioned buses rose to ₹32. “Many passengers found UPI payments a convenient solution to avoid the hassle of carrying and handling small change,” he added.
Incentives for conductors
To further boost digital payments, BMTC introduced an incentive programme for conductors with high UPI transaction volumes. Conductors received targeted training on the UPI ticketing system, equipping them with the necessary skills to guide passengers through the process. “They were also trained to highlight the advantages of digital transactions, such as speed, accuracy, and reduced dependency on cash,” official said.
As part of its digital transformation efforts, BMTC installed static UPI QR codes in 75% of its bus fleet last month. This initiative aims to make cashless payments more accessible to commuters and reduce the operational burden of handling cash. Passengers can easily spot QR code posters on the side panels of many buses, scan them to make payments, and receive a ticket from the conductor as confirmation.
While this has improved convenience for many commuters, some have suggested additional measures to further streamline the system. “I no longer have to worry about carrying exact change or waiting for the conductor to return my balance. UPI payments have made my daily commute much smoother,” Arun Kumar, a regular BMTC commuter from Banaswadi said.
Another passenger, Priya Ramesh, from Jayanagara said, “BMTC should introduce QR code scanner tag cards for conductors, similar to ID cards. This will make transactions even faster and more efficient,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has also embraced cashless payments across its fleet since November 2024. To facilitate this transition, KSRTC has rolled out over 10,000 advanced Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) for its 8,800 buses. These smart ETMs are designed to further integrate digital payments into public transportation, ensuring a seamless experience for commuters across the state.
Published – February 08, 2025 07:17 pm IST