The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation is set to introduce a prepaid card system for regular travellers next week.
The cards, which will offer unlimited travel for periods of one month at a time, will range in the amount Rs 1000 to Rs 5000. At the end of each month, travellers can recharge the card online or at bus stations.
Kerala RTC MD MG Rajamanikiam told the media that the measure is being introduced against the backdrop of demonetisation, to alleviate troubles between the corporation’s staff and passengers due to lack of lower denominations.
With a severe shortage of change, clashes between passengers and bus conductors in Kerala RTC buses has become a common occurrence in the past few weeks.
“In the beginning, we will introduce 10000 cards and later increase the number depending on the demand,” Rajmanikiam said.
The cards will be available in four categories – Premium, Gold, Silver and Bronze – depending on the mode of services availed. Using the bronze cards, priced at Rs 1,000, customers can avail of unlimited trips anywhere inside a district on ordinary buses. Silver cards (Rs 1,500) will enable unlimited travel on limited stop and ordinary stop buses across Kerala. Gold cards (Rs 3,000) will allow travel across Kerala in all of the above services as well as in superfast buses. And Premium cards (Rs 5,000) can be used for unlimited travel in all RTC buses including the luxury Volvo and Scania buses across Kerala.
Each card will be encrypted with the details of a single person, and the cards are not transferable.
Rajamanikiam said that the cards will not only reduce the hassle of change for passengers but will also boost the corporation’s income.