300 cards issued every day; recharge issues streamlined: Company official
Shahin Bepari Lambe
Panaji: Nearly 10,000 Smart Transit Cards have been issued by Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) to date, while over 300 cards are issued every day.
Recent confusion over the recharge process for the e-bus passes has been clarified by officials from Iteration Technologies, the company responsible for issuing the smart transit cards.
An official from Iteration Technologies said that commuters had previously faced difficulties understanding how to recharge their cards.
He explained that passengers should treat the e-bus card like a regular phone recharge.
“Once the card is recharged, commuters need to update it at the KTCL’s swiping machine, after which the money will be reflected in their accounts”.
For those unable to recharge online, the official said that commuters can ask the conductor to recharge their card directly on the bus by paying cash, or visit the KTCL office for assistance.
“There was confusion about how to recharge the card, but now everything is streamlined,” he said.
KTCL operates buses across the state, and the Smart Transit Card is available to anyone who wishes to apply.
To obtain an e-bus pass, an initial payment of Rs 150 is required which can be redeemed when using the card for travel, the official said.
“A commuter can utilise this amount while travelling. Instead of paying cash, passengers just need to inform the conductor that they have the card,” he added.
The e-bus pass, which has gained popularity, offers a 10% discount on travel tickets. Senior citizens and students receive a 50% discount, while for persons with disabilities (PwD), the card is entirely free.
Darshana Vaingankar, a frequent bus traveller, said, “The card is beneficial as I no longer need to carry cash or worry about tendering exact change when purchasing tickets from the conductor. It’s a really good initiative.”
However, she said that the government should set up help desks to assist people who face difficulties with online applications.
Another commuter Manali Naik said, “Earlier, we had to carry cash, and there were often arguments with the conductors. Now, the KTCL e-bus pass has made it easier for both commuters and conductors. It’s especially helpful for daily commuters, senior citizens and students.”
She added that the application process is simple, and with just a tap of the card, travel has become hassle-free for commuters.
