Integrated Ticketing System: MMRDA invites bids

Integrated Ticketing System: MMRDA invites bids

FPJ BureauUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 02:55 PM IST
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MMRDA |

Mumbai: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) which is implementing the ambitious ‘Integrated Ticketing System’ (ITS) has invited bids to appoint consultants for creating an architecture for the system.

Come June 21, tender documents will be released for selection of Project Management Consultant (PMC). MMRDA has set a target readying the ITS system for commuters by 2017 end.

“The project cost will be decided once the consultants are appointed,” said an MMRDA official.

Once the ITS is in place, commuters can use a single smart card across all modes of transport  such as BEST buses, metro rail, monorail and suburban railway under one roof. The new smart card system would allow people to travel by any of these modes anywhere in the city. There is an existing smart card facility used by the Railways and BEST commuters.

Around 11 million commuters across the city will benefit from the system. “The ITS system would largely benefit 7 million railway commuters and 4 million BEST passengers. It will also benefit 15,000 monorail and 3 lakh metro commuters,” said an MMRDA official.

MMRDA is working on a clearing and settlement house for cash transactions under ITS. “Once all transport services come under one roof, we will need a settlement house to distribute cash transactions that will be meted out by different transport services. A clearing house will enable to distribute cash without wasting much time”, said a Transportation Planner, MMRDA.

MMRDA Sources said that once the consultants are appointed, the system architecture would be designed enable the used hand held devices to swipe the smart card.

After the Central and Western Railways, BEST has shown interest in participating in the ITS.  MMRDA hopes to lessen the operation and maintenance cost of bus services through the implementation of the ITS.

The Metro rail and several other transport undertakings in Thane, Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayander and Ulhasnagar have also given an in principal approval to join the ITS.

Once the ITS is in place, smart cards would be placed on the hand held device used by conductors at BEST buses which will automatically deduct the fare rates from the commuters smart card in no time, sources said.

The current ticketing system in BEST buses is time consuming since it involves the conductor to collect fare amount and later enter the details into their ticketing device. “It takes atleast 30 seconds for a conductor to collect money and issue the ticket to the commuter after entering the details of his/her destination. ITS system would complete the task in less than five seconds”, said sources from MMRDA.

ITS system in place would also ensure no cash transaction involved between the commuter and transport service. “The new system would help in saving time and improve the bus services also”, said a source from MMRDA.

Apart from Mumbai, there are talks to bring about a similar system in Kochi, Kerala. Outside India, London has an advanced ITS system in place.

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