In country’s first, Mumbai to launch digital bus service tomorrow

A commuter using `Tap In Tap Out` service. Pic/BEST

After a successful trial run, Mumbai's BEST will now be introducing 100 per cent digital ticketing on buses with the ‘Tap In Tap Out' service by using Chalo smart cards and a mobile app from April 20.

Under the service, a passenger, after boarding the bus, will have to tap his/her smartcard in front of the digital machine affixed near the entrance. A green tick mark will allow the passenger to board the bus. The fare will then be deducted from the passenger's smartcard or the mobile app after he/she de-boards by taping out.

Only those passengers who are using an app or smartcard for cashless payment will be allowed to travel on the bus. Pic/BEST

Initially, only one bus will be operated in south Mumbai for the passengers who use the digital ticketing service. Lokesh Chandra, BEST general manager, says, "After running the pilot digital service bus, we will slowly increase the number of buses offering 'Tap In Tap Out' service on the same route and later on expand the initiative. In this bus, the passengers will have to board from the front door, so that the driver can keep an eye on passengers tapping the card reader to buy the ticket."

Chandra adds, "While the bus will not have a conductor, during the initial days of the service, there will be one to assist passengers with the facility if need be."

According to the BEST authority, the trials were completed on April 18. "The digital ‘Tap In Tap Out' facility has been introduced for the first time in any public bus transport service in India. As the ticketing service will be fully digital, the passengers need not keep change with them to pay for the ticket.".

These buses will have 'Digital Bus' mentioned at the entrance. Only those passengers who are using an app or smartcard for cashless payment will be allowed to travel on the bus.

Speaking about how many passengers are using the digital service, Chandra says, "Out of 30 lakh passengers, over 12 lakh are availing the digital ticketing service through a mobile app. Around 2.10 lakh people are using the BEST smartcard."

The first digital bus service will be flagged off by State Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray near the Gateway of India on Wednesday.