New Delhi: Come July, residents of India’s national capital will be able to travel on metro trains, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses using a ‘Common Mobility Card’. The move is part of the city government’s plan to ensure seamless travel using public transport.
The Delhi government is finalising the modalities of the project, which will be launched in a phased manner. “We will launch ‘Common Mobility Card’ project in July this year through which passengers can travel in Metro trains, DTC buses and cluster [orange] buses run by DIMTS [Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System]. The project will be launched on a trial-basis in Delhi,” Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said.
The minister said by the end of June, fares will be charged in all DTC buses and cluster buses through e-ticketing machines (ETM) and thereafter the government will move towards the launch of ‘Common Mobility Card’.
“We are currently in talks with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for finalising a revenue-sharing model. In July, commuters can travel in metro, DTC buses, and Cluster buses through [the] Common Mobility Card.
“As per the plan, while boarding the bus a commuter will have to give this card to conductor who will swipe it in an e-ticketing machine (ETM) and just before getting off the vehicle, he or she will again have to swipe the card in the ETM, and fares will be automatically deducted like the metro,” the transport minister said.
A Common Mobility Card was proposed during the Commonwealth Games, but the project did not take off due to financial considerations.
As part of a move to strengthen the public transport system, the Aam Aadmi Party government has chalked out a plan that includes buying 3,000 new buses by December, and installing CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi services in buses.
CCTV cameras have already been installed in more than 200 DTC buses so far.
