Book Bangalore Metro Tickets via WhatsApp: A Step-by-Step Guide

In light of this mission, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has finally identified a plausible solution. The use of a WhatsApp chat to book metro tickets. "It is the simplest process," says Aishwarya S, a regular metro commuter. "I just need to text 'Hi' on WhatsApp and a few clicks later the ticket is in my phone. No need to stand in line, keep sufficient change or face Gpay problems after reaching the station. I can just book my ticket on the way to the station and avoid any lines or obstacles after getting there," she adds.

 

The chatbot is simple to maneuver and is creating a major buzz among young crowds in Bangalore, who otherwise are too busy to wait. "No more plastic tokens or smart cards, just a QR code that appears on my phone. All I have to do is walk in, place my phone with the QR code on the scanner and it lets me in. The chatbot even allows me to recharge my daily pass or card. It's so much more efficient and advanced, I don't have to wait anywhere at all,” says Robbie Abraham, another commuter. 

 

This new method of contactless ticketing is also a boon for the BMRCL as it is saving them lakhs of rupees otherwise spent in reusable plastic tokens and smart cards. According to BMRCL sources, each token costs Rs.18 to manufacture. With a footfall of around five lakh commuters daily across 51 stations, going digital is actually saving the municipal body over one Crore everyday, in material costs. 

 

Of the 400-odd ground staff that work at the Bangalore Metro Rail, hardly any need to man ticketing booths anymore. “Our team's size has reduced in the last year. We only have some 8 to 10 staff at the station, that is including the janitorial staff and the customer facing staff. We hardly man the ticketing booth nowadays.,” says Srinath Reddy, Supervisor at the Magadi Rd. Metro Station.

 

Meanwhile, BMRCL employees are throwing caution to the wind about the minimal staff, low salaries and unfair HR policies. “Despite the stable work life balance there is no HR policy to review the performance of employees. Merit is completely based on the rapport one has with seniors and what your inherited background is. When it comes to down-sizing, it is the lowest strata that get kicked out first. There is barely any job security for many people. We were scared after this new ticketing rule came out, but because we are already operating at minimum staff, they cannot fire more people.” says an assistant engineer at BMRCL who doesn’t want to be named.

 

"Before Nov 1st, we always faced issues with accepting UPI payments or managing cash. Commuters would most often get angry at us for stalling their journey. All that seems to be changing now. Hardly anyone comes to the ticket booth, only elderly people. We are here to address any queries, but now with this paperless and plastic free system, commuters can reduce their commute time significantly without tension," says Balakrishnan, employee at the Majestic metro station.

 

For the last year, the state government has been encouraging the residents of Bangalore to switch to public transport rather than private. The move contributes to the States overall Green Mission and saves on time, money and manpower. Hopefully the new, more efficient, metro ticketing system will push more people towards seamless travel via public transport, soon.