25 November,2009 08:16 AM IST | | Amit Singh
DTC installs automatic fare collection system in buses on intra-city routes
As the number of vehicles on Delhi roads keep growing by the day so does the government plans to tackle it better.
The government has launched a pilot project which, if proved successful, will open the gates for installing automatic fare collection devices in all modes of public transport.
The project was launched in buses buses plying on the Dwarka intra city bus system.
The pilot involves all the six DTC low-floor air-conditioned buses presently operating on "Dwarka Circular Sewa".
A device has been installed at the entry and exit gate of the bus and the user will have to access his 'Smart Card' on the device at the time of entry and exit. The fare shall be computed automatically at the time of exit based on the distance travelled. In case the passenger does not show his card at the time of exit, Rs.25/- (full fare) will be deducted from his card.
Inaugurating the system, Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit said, "The idea was to install AFCS in buses and other modes of transport so that a common 'Smart Card' can be used in various public transport modes and possibly in para-transit services too like taxis, parking etc. We have been evaluating various technologies and implementation models to ascertain the one best suited for Indian conditions."
"The pilot project will help understand the functioning of the system as well as gauge the response of commuters and conductors to identify any issue so that the same may be resolved before the full-fledged implementation across different public transport modes in Delhi," said Delhi Transport Minster Arvinder Singh Lovely.
One control unit has been installed near conductor's seat for the recharging of smart cards and other associated functions like log on/log off etc. Presently such system is operational in Delhi Metro only.
Just fill and go
Commuters can buy smart cards against a security deposit of Rs 50 per card and get them recharged from conductors deployed in the buses as well as from Dwarka Sector 8 DTC depot. The security deposit refund can be claimed from Dwarka Sector 8 Depot on the return of the Smart Card. The recharge will be available in slabs of Rs. 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400 and 500. As against the slab fare for ticketed commuters, smart card users shall have to pay at Rs 2.50 per kilometer upto first four kilometers of travel and at Rs 1.25 per kilometer beyond that. The card will expire if it remains unused for a period of one year.
