Delhi Metro's New Ticketing System: Travel With Your Phone

Delhi Metro’s New Ticketing System: Travel with Your Phone, No Token or Card Needed

DMRC

Metro system

Owner – Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Transit type – Rapid transit
Number of lines – 10
Number of stations – 255
Daily ridership – 25.1 lakh (2.51 million) (2021–22)
Annual ridership – 179 crore (1.79 billion) (2019)
Key people – Manoj Joshi (Chairman), Vikas Kumar (Managing Director)
Headquarters – Metro Bhawan, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi 110001

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is in the final stages of implementing a ticketing system based on QR (Quick Response) codes. According to reports, this new system will enable commuters to enter and exit Metro stations using only their mobile phones.

The DMRC is currently conducting trials for this technology, and the application is ready for use. After the final testing phase, the plan is to launch the QR code-based ticketing system by the end of June.

Anuj Dayal, the principal executive director of corporate communications at DMRC, stated, “The phone-based QR code ticketing technology is ready for the Delhi Metro network. However, we are currently conducting internal trials to ensure a seamless experience. These trials include regression tests to address any potential issues in generating QR code tickets. Our aim is to make this facility available to passengers by the end of this month.”

To generate e-tickets, commuters will utilize the Delhi Metro Rail app. After making the payment through various available options, the app will generate a QR code, which can be scanned at the automatic fare collection (AFC) gates for entry into the Metro station.

According to officials, approximately 75% of DMRC commuters presently use smart cards for their Metro travels. This percentage reached 78% in May last year, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was around 70%. Currently, DMRC’s daily ridership averages between 5.5 and 6 million journeys, which is approximately 90% of the pre-Covid figures when the average was 6 to 6.5 million passengers per day.

Even after the introduction of e-tickets, commuters will still have the option to purchase tokens, use smart cards, or acquire paper-based QR tickets. However, DMRC officials have expressed intentions to gradually phase out the token system.

To facilitate the transition to QR code technology, DMRC recently introduced QR code-based paper tickets on all its Lines. Every Metro station now has at least two AFC gates capable of reading QR codes. Nevertheless, the transition has encountered some challenges, as several commuters have reported encountering glitches.

Anup Rawat, a 22-year-old student who attempted to board the Metro at Janakpuri East Metro station, shared his experience, saying that he had to tap the QR code paper ticket multiple times on the machine. The gate briefly opened before closing again. Rawat had to seek assistance from customer care to gain access. He expressed that unlike tokens, the QR code system could be made smoother.

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Delhi Metro’s New Ticketing System: Travel with Your Phone, No Token or Card Needed