For the convenience of travelers Kolkata Metro has created 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 was earlier implemented on the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade and Sector V-Sealdah corridors of the East-West Metro, this facility will be available in all ASCRM machines of Blue Line (Dakshineswar-New Garia).
In partnership 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 improve the travelers’ experience and streamline the ticket purchasing process. Recently in a statement, The Metro Railway Kolkata said that the new system simplifies the process of purchasing tickets. Travelers 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.
For instance, if a commuter wants to travel to Dum Dum, he needs to type the first letter of the station, that is D on the screen, and then an auto-pop-up will come on the screen showing all the station names starting with D. After the traveler 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, travelers will have to scan the QR code on the dual display board at the ticket counters to complete the transaction.
In all stations of Green Line 1 and Green Line 2, The UPI-based ticketing system has already been introduced. Recently it was first introduced at the Sealdah station of the East-West Line. Since there is a positive response from Metro users, authorities are hoping to extend this alternative ticketing facility to the Ruby-New Garia and Joka-Taratala sections as well for the benefit of travelers. In the meantime, the Kolkata Metro will run a special night service on its North-South Line. At 11 pm one train will leave from Dum Dum, while at the same time, the other will leave from Kavi Subhash in Garia. 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, Shobha Bazar Sutanuti, Belgachhia, Shyam bazaar, Dum Dum.
