Smart BMTC set to introduce e-purse

Smart BMTC set to introduce e-purse
Ashwini Y S | TNN

Bangalore: A bus pass with multi-applications? BMTC’s smart cards will soon use the e-purse concept with a single card for several functions. BMTC, currently issuing smart card student passes, will extend them for monthly passes as an e-purse. Individuals can transfer cash from debit or credit cards on to the smart card, and buy groceries or other items from agencies which have tied up with BMTC.
Director (security and vigilance) P S Sandhu told The Times of India that the corporation is holding discussions with banks which will be a nodal agency — by holding and managing money being transacted.
“The corporation will be co-branded with the bank and many service providers will be affiliated to us. All formalities will be completed in two months, and the cards will be issued before this year end,’’ he said.
This card is part of BMTC’s bigger dream — the Traffic Transit Management Centres (TTMCs), a one-stop shop of park-and-ride.
“Although it’ll take time for the centres to be set up, we want to streamline the smart card facility, which will be used in the centres extensively,’’ said Sandhu.
Once the centres open, card holders will use the cards in parking lots, validators in buses and for other shopping purposes, including bill payments of water and electricity. BMTC has been consulting Prakash Kamat of Kaizen Automation Ltd, Mumbai, which has tied up with the Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses and Mumbai suburban railways. Kamat has so far sold 3.3 lakh cards, which act as bus and railway pass, apart from an e-purse.
In this case, a person pays Rs 35 for applications initially, while service charge of Rs 5 is paid to Kaizen on every transaction. Sandhu said that BMTC was also taking a decision on card validators. “We need about 10,000 hand-held machines and validators. The validators will be installed in buses, while the machines will be used by conductors and ground staff in all BMTC centres and kiosks,’’ he added.
SMART WAY
BMTC to issue e-purse smart cards before this year end
The corporation will be co-branded with a nationalised bank and affiliated to many service providers
Cards can be used for many purposes — from cash transcations to payment of bills
BMTC to buy 10,000 handheld machines and contactless validators
BMTC has been consulting Prakash Kamat of Kaizen Automation Ltd, Mumbai, which has tied up with BEST buses and Mumbai railways
Kamat has so far sold 3.3 lakh cards, which act as bus and railway pass, apart from an e-purse. In this case, a person pays Rs 35 for applications initially, while service charge of Rs 5 is paid to Kaizen on every transaction