Kolkata Metro mulls introducing smart daily ticket

Kolkata, Oct 19 (UNI) Kolkata Metro is planning to introduce RFID technology based ''smart daily token'' within the next few months.

Informing this senior Metro Rail sources told UNI here today that in order to make the ticketing system of the underground railway more efficient and at par with world standards, they have decided to introduce Radio Frequency Identified based Smart Token as daily ticket for single, double and multiple-ride.

The system is already working well in the Delhi metro the sources said.

He said though the programme was still in preliminary stages, a team of engineers from Kolkata Metro had already visited Delhi Metro to know more about the technical aspects.

Highlighting the use of the new method, sources said, instead of the present use and throw system, the passengers would now have to re-deposit the token in pre-fixed buaskets near the exit gates before going out.

Since the new system would be based on computer based RFID technology, it would not only be tamper proof and re-usable unlike other major underground railway systems in the world like the London and Moscow tubes, the Metro Rail sources informed. It would be a major breakthrough in the Metro Rail ticketing system.

Asked about the future of the already introduced multi-ride Smart card, the sources said they would, however, be in use as before with more passengers opting for it.

About other steps to improve the security network of the Metro Rail system, which was being used by more than 350,000 passengers everyday on an average, the sources said following successful tests in rush hours during the Pujas, several multi-functional close circuit television cameras were being introduced in all the 17 stations of the city's 16.4 km underground railway network by this year end at a cost of several crores of rupees. Incidentally, the Kolkata metro accredited a record of carrying more than 3,75000 passengers on October one.

Responding to another query, sources reiterated that the much awaited eight km extension of the Metro Rail service from Tollygunge to Garia in southern fringe of the city would be completed by December 2007 as per schedule.

When completed the number of daily commuters in Kolkata Metro would cross the 400,000 mark, he said adding that this would go a long way in increasing the revenue of the Railways to a great extent.

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