The Delhi Transport Corporation is set to launch a contactless smart card-based ticketing system for its vast city bus network.
The initiative, which is expected to go live within a month, is part of a larger agenda to eliminate paper-based passes and usher in a more efficient, eco-conscious fare collection system in India’s capital city. This development is being implemented under the guidance of the Delhi government, with the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) entrusted to oversee the rollout. DIMTS will also distribute the contactless cards to commuters for a nominal fee of ₹50. The original manufacturing and setup cost of each card is ₹71, but a significant portion of that will be subsidised to encourage widespread adoption. Once issued, the cards can be topped up or recharged easily, and pass renewals will cost ₹14.
Currently, trial runs of the system are already underway across key bus depots located in Rajghat, Hasanpur, and Kalkaji. Officials confirmed that the pilot phase has yielded promising results, with commuters responding positively to the improved ease of travel and reduction in cash-based fare handling. The smart cards will enable multiple modes of payment including mobile wallets, QR codes, debit and credit cards, as well as the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). The integration with NCMC, in particular, positions Delhi’s transport ecosystem to align with national-level efforts aimed at seamless, interoperable urban mobility.
By phasing out paper passes and adopting digital ticketing, the project is expected to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of daily commuting in Delhi. With tens of thousands of bus users travelling across the city each day, the shift could lead to a measurable drop in paper waste generated by transport services. Officials driving the initiative noted that the smart card system is not only an environmental move but also a technological step towards more accountable and data-driven public transport management. Digital fare collection will allow real-time tracking of passenger volumes, enhance transparency in revenue management, and enable better service planning in response to demand patterns.
Moreover, the smart card system aligns with the city’s broader ambition of becoming a model of inclusive and sustainable urban infrastructure. A government spokesperson highlighted that by digitising payments and making the commute more accessible, the system is expected to benefit women, the elderly, and daily wage earners who often face hurdles navigating the traditional paper-based systems. Transport experts observing the Delhi model say that such reforms have the potential to serve as blueprints for other Indian metros. The inclusion of multiple payment options makes the platform user-friendly across age groups and income segments, reducing dependency on cash and easing the burden on conductors and ticket counters.
Additionally, the use of contactless cards addresses growing concerns around hygiene and physical contact in public transport — a lesson underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also simplifies fare collection during peak hours, which can often be chaotic due to overcrowding and delays caused by cash transactions. A key advantage of the smart card system is the increased safety it provides commuters, especially in cases of theft or loss. Cards can be blocked and reissued without significant hassle, unlike paper passes or cash, which are not recoverable once lost. This also introduces a sense of digital security that is essential in modern cities aspiring toward smart infrastructure.
However, as with any systemic transition, the success of the project will rely heavily on public awareness and infrastructure readiness. Transport authorities are planning a robust information campaign ahead of the official rollout, aiming to educate commuters on how to obtain and use the smart cards. On-the-ground support staff at major bus terminals will also be deployed to assist in card activation and troubleshooting. To avoid alienating daily commuters unfamiliar with digital tools, the DTC plans to maintain some legacy systems during the transition phase. This hybrid approach ensures that regular operations are not disrupted while commuters adapt to the new methods.
The digital upgrade of Delhi’s public bus system comes at a time when Indian cities are under increasing pressure to decarbonise their transport networks. Road-based transport is a significant contributor to urban air pollution, and promoting public bus travel—especially when paired with smart, user-friendly systems—can encourage modal shifts away from private vehicles. As Delhi continues to grapple with alarming pollution levels and congestion, this intervention contributes meaningfully to efforts aimed at building a green, equitable, and smart capital city. While Delhi Metro has already demonstrated the impact of smart ticketing through the use of travel cards and QR codes, bringing a similar revolution to buses makes public transport more inclusive, as it caters to the widest base of low- to middle-income commuters.
Urban planning advocates have praised the move for its long-term implications. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions through better-managed routes and optimised fleet deployment, but it also encourages behavioural change towards sustainable travel choices. With robust digital data, city planners can make informed decisions to enhance bus frequency, design last-mile linkages, and synchronise routes with Metro stations, ensuring a more integrated transit ecosystem. The Delhi government’s commitment to transform public mobility reflects a growing understanding of how transit reforms can anchor broader goals of environmental sustainability, gender neutrality, and inclusive growth. By prioritising accessibility and technological integration, the smart card ticketing system is not just a transport upgrade—it is a step towards a more humane and responsive city.
As the official rollout date nears, all eyes will be on how Delhi’s population receives the system and whether it can pave the way for larger-scale public mobility reforms across India’s tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
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Quelle/Source: Urban Acres, 10.05.2025
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