Mumbai Metro rail, which is expected to be opened to the public within a couple of weeks, will have a full-fledged online booking system that will also facilitate recharging of smart cards.
The rail operator is creating a comprehensive website for the benefit of commuters that will also have features like an interactive route map.
The smart cards system has been planned for quick entry and exit of commuters through the automatic fare collection gate. About 7 lakh passengers are likely to use the 11.4-km system between Versova and Ghatkopar daily.
"We are working towards a tie-up with financial institutions for online recharging of smart cards, using options like debit and credit cards," said an official of the Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL).
The maximum credit a smart card can hold is Rs10,000. Card holders will have the option to get the cards personalised with their names and photographs printed on them.
Discussions are still continuing on the fare structure, with Reliance Infrastructure – the majority partner in MMOPL – arguing for higher charges to make up for the escalation in the project cost to over Rs4,300 crore.
Besides the online option, commuters will be able to buy tokens and smart cards over the counter and also use ticket vending machines that will be installed at all 12 stations of the metro corridor.
However, as is the case with the monorail system, the ticket vending machines on the metro will not accept the new Re1 coins that are smaller in size and the old Rs2 coins. But they will accept Rs5 and Rs10 coins. This is because of non-availability of software with the Reserve Bank of India for these coins.
The final safety and physical inspections of the Metro were completed by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) on Monday and the safety certificate is likely to be issued within a week.
According to sources, the CMRS is waiting for approvals from the railway board for rolling stock and electrical systems, to issue the safety certificate.
Abhay Kumar Mishra, chief executive officer, MMOPL, said on Wednesday that metro services could begin within a week after receiving the safety certificate.
ateeq.shaikh@dnaindia.net
