Namma Metro WhatsApp Ticketing System Down, BMRCL Responds

Bengaluru Metro commuters faced disruptions starting Friday, September 26, 2025, as the popular WhatsApp ticketing system stopped working. Instead of QR tickets, passengers received a maintenance message, forcing many to stand in long queues at metro counters.

WhatsApp Ticketing Glitch Causes Inconvenience

The WhatsApp chatbot, widely used by occasional commuters, displayed the message:
"This service is currently under maintenance. We'll be back soon. Thank you for your patience."

For many, this glitch caused major inconvenience. Commuter Jayadeva Bolar, who travels from Peenya to Infantry Road three times a week, said:
"I usually book tickets on WhatsApp as I don't use a metro card daily. Since Friday morning, the system stopped working, and I had to wait in a long queue."

BMRCL Clarifies Issue With WhatsApp

A senior Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official clarified that the glitch is not on their end but with WhatsApp maintenance. The corporation expressed hope that the service will be restored soon.

Launched in November 2022, the WhatsApp ticketing system made Namma Metro the first transit system globally to introduce chatbot-based QR ticketing. The service allows commuters to book tickets, recharge metro cards, plan routes, and check train timings in English and Kannada.

Alternative Ticketing Options Available

While the WhatsApp issue persists, commuters can still purchase tickets digitally via:

Namma Metro app

Paytm

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) (9 consumer apps integrated)

Metro counters at all stations

The glitch highlights the importance of having multiple digital ticketing platforms to avoid passenger inconvenience.

Bengaluru Metro Ticketing Disruption: What's Next?

BMRCL is coordinating with WhatsApp to resolve the issue quickly. In the meantime, passengers are advised to use alternative ticketing platforms or expect possible queues at counters.