KOCHI: As part of shifting completely into online ticket system, the Kochi Metro will stop the existing paper ticket system from December 31, this year.
Kochi Metro is the only Metro rail system in the country which still uses paper tickets.
Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) managing director Loknath Behera said that the officials of Metro have been given a target of December 31 to completely shift to the paperless ticket system.
Earlier the Metro authorities had introduced an online ticket booking system through ‘KMRL-Axis Bank Kochi 1’ application. The application allows users to book Metro tickets online by generating QR codes. But the application has failed to impress passengers mainly due to technical issues and more than 75% of Metro passengers are still depending upon paper tickets.
Behera said that the discussion is going on regarding the alternative mode of ticket system. “One of the proposals is to introduce QR code scanning system, by generating online tickets through mobile phone applications. But, for a small number of commuters who are not using smartphones, it would be difficult to use such a system. We are yet to finalize the new mode of ticketing,” said Behera.
Ebenezer Chullikkatt of the city-based Greater Cochin Development Watch (GCDW) said that the decision of KMRL to stop paper ticket system is a great step as it will help reduce operational cost and the online ticket system would be easier for commuters. “KMRL can reduce the number of staff by stopping the paper ticket counters and it can also withdraw paper ticket vending machines from the stations. Besides, it is also an environmental-friendly move,” he said, adding that the Metro authorities can introduce Store Value Cards (SVCs), instead of introducing QR code scanning system, which may face technical issues while generating tickets.
