IT / AFC

AN INSIGHT ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS

1. INTRODUCTION:

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has embraced digital transformation to enhance the ticketing experience for its commuters. By leveraging modern technologies and digital solutions, CMRL has streamlined its ticketing operations, improving efficiency, convenience, and customer satisfaction. This document aims to highlight the key aspects of the digital transformation in ticketing at CMRL.

2. BRIEF ABOUT THE COMPANY:

CMRL was created by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). It was incorporated on 03.12.2007 under the Companies Act. It has now been converted into a Joint Venture of Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu with equal equity holding with a mission of providing a safe, fast, reliable, accessible, convenient, comfortable, efficient and affordable public transport service preferred by all in a sustainable manner. Its functional head quarter is at METROS, No.327, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai-600 035, Tamil Nadu, India. Mail at chennaimetrorail@cmrl.in.

Chennai Metro had fully commissioned all its 32 stations (Phase I) by July 2015. And 9 Phase I extension stations by Feb 2021.- The total operational stretch for CMRL is of 52.4 Kms (Corridor 1 and Corridor 2) and is under further expansion under the upcoming project of Phase II. The Phase II project shall commission three corridors – Corridor 3, 4 and 5 with a total of 112 stations spread across the Chennai city in 118.9 Kms.

With the current stretch of 52.4 Kms being operational is fetching an average ridership of 2.7 lakhs per day. The ridership can be attributed to the various modes of ticketing and other related ease, convenience and other benefits offered by CMRL.

CMRL has offered a wide variety of ticketing options to passengers along with other benefits in the forms of –

Discounted fares for using digital media like contactless Smart cards, QR tickets, NCMC etc.
Discounted fares at Parking facilities to promote the ridership and encourage riders to use the facility.

3. INCEPTION OF DIGITALIZATION:

Smart Card System:

CMRL has introduced a contactless smart card system, commonly known as “Travel Cards,” which can be recharged online or at designated kiosks. Commuters can easily obtain and top-up these cards using CMRL Mobile App as well as CMRL website which has various options for payment like UPI, Net Banking etc., enabling quick and hassle-free entry into the metro stations. The smart cards offer convenience, as users can tap their cards at the gates, eliminating the need for physical tickets or cash transactions.

Benefits of Smart Card System:

20% Discounted fare.
Enabling quick and hassle-free entry into the metro stations by tapping the Cards on Automatic Cards
Easy Online and Counter Recharges
One single card for Travel and Parking charges
Passenger can avail the Personalized Tickets with their / choice of Photographs printed on the Travel Card by applying through the Ticket counters

National Common Mobility Card:

CMRL has inaugurated the National Common Mobility Card on 14th April 2023. The card has new era digital ticketing features like transit application of small value transactions, online purchase transactions and retail outlets use cases. As on 02nd April 24, a total of 2,16,000 cards have been issued till now with a daily ridership of around 60,000 passengers.

Benefits of Smart Card System:

20% Discounted fare
Top – up in Metro station ticket counters, Yono App and SBI Customer portal
Accepted in all NCMC enabled transit projects actor the country
One single card for Travel and Parking charges
No Issuance Fee.

CMRL Mobile App – Online Ticket Booking and Recharge:

CMRL has introduced a mobile app available in Play store and IOS platform allowing commuters to purchase and validate tickets using their smartphones. The passengers can recharge their smart cards online.This digital solution enhances customer convenience and reduces dependency on physical interactions. Through a dedicated mobile application, passengers can easily browse fare options, select their desired ticket, chose from available routes, plan their journey, recharge their smart cards and make secure payments using various digital payment methods. The mobile ticketing system eliminates the need for physical tickets, reducing queues, paper usage and enhancing the overall ticketing process.

QR Code Integration:

To increase the digital footprint of CMRL across Chennai city, CMRL has introduced QR code mode of ticketing in September 2020. Passengers can purchase QR code ticket through the mobile application. These QR codes are scanned at the entry/exit gates, allowing smooth access to the platforms. This technology significantly reduces the time required for ticket validation, effectively advantageous post COVID-19 situation.

Benefits of QR Ticketing System:

20% Discounted fare for the QR purchased through any of the online applications
Enabling quick and hassle-free entry into the metro stations by Scanning the QR Code on Automatic Cards
Easily can have in different applications like CMRL Mobile Application, WhatsApp, Paytm, Phone Pe, Static QR Stickers placed in Metro stations , Red Bus, Rapido, Nmma Yatri or in the Tickets counters of metro station at convenience to the passengers

In QR domain we have made several enhancements like:

CMRL first launched QR based ticketing through mobile application in Sep 2020. Along with the mobile QR ticketing, CMRL also launched its own ticket reader application keeping in mind the COVID-19 situation, enabling passengers to use metro with minimal contact with public access facilities.
Store Value QR pass implementation: Using Store Value QR Pass the passenger can top up for the single time and utilize that money for his various travel in the Chennai metro train.
Static QR: The QR ticketing was further expanded through static QR based ticketing in September 2022 where the passenger can scan the static QR code at station, choose the destination, pay fare via wide range of digital payment instruments and download the ticket for seamless travel.
CMRL offers the QR integration with Major Events such as Cricket Matches, Music concerts, Marathon, Public Events etc. on the request of the event organizer makes enable the visitors to have integrated QR tickets for the travel with event tickets / invites
Issuing QR ticketing through WhatsApp launched in May 2023. The passenger can avail the 20% discounted tickets by just typing Hi to the WhatsApp No +91 8300086000.
Pushing the traditional paper tickets to passenger WhatsApp number at ticket counters launched in Jan 2024 to reduce the paper usage in the Metro Ticketing Systems.
PayTm: Online QR ticketing system through PayTm. As on 02nd April 2024 we have an average ridership of 12,000 per day.
PhonePe: Online QR ticketing system through PayTm. As on 02nd April ’24 we have an average ridership of approx. 5,000 per day.
ONDC integration was launched in Feb 2024 enabling all social media or transit applications like RedBus, PayTm, Namma Yatri and Rapido etc to seamlessly sell CMRL QR tickets on their platforms as part of first mile and last mile connectivity.

Integration with Digital Payment Platforms:

To promote cashless transactions, CMRL has integrated its ticketing system with various digital payment platforms, including credit cards, debit cards, mobile wallets, and UPI (Unified Payments Interface). This integration allows commuters to choose their preferred payment method, enhancing flexibility and convenience while purchasing tickets or recharging smart cards. All these payment instruments are available across all platforms of ticketing available for CMRL passengers.

Parking Fare Collection Digitalization:

CMRL is the first Metro organization to integrate the digital payments through CMRL Contactless Smart Cards for parking fares at facilities given by CMRL metro stations launched in December 2018. The application was further enhanced with vide options and customizations for revenue reporting and reconciliation. The full-fledged release of the enhanced app was released in October 2021. New requirements are taken up and developments go on as per management requirements and customizations for providing better facilities and benefits to CMRL passengers. Apart from that CMRL also gives dynamic discounts to metro commuters based on the number of trips they made in metro; more the trips, more the discount!

Store Value Cards (Metro Smart Cards) for cashless payment of parking charges was launched in Dec 2018.
Differential Parking Fare at all stations was launched on 02.05.2023 for encouraging CMRL commuters to use parking facilities at discounted rates for daily as well as monthly journeys.
Parking Integration – Payment of Parking charges using NCMC cards was launched in Feb 2024.
Store value QR Pass integration with Parking for parking fare payments was launched in Feb 2024.

More developments under progress:

ABT Implementation – Account Based Ticketing is under testing and will enable passengers to use bank cards as fare media.
CMRL Also provides the passenger the following information to Plan their Journeys on their convenience

Real-time Passenger Information:

CMRL has deployed digital displays at metro stations to provide real-time information on train schedules, platform details, and service updates. Passengers can easily access this information, allowing them to plan their journeys effectively. Additionally, CMRL provides real-time updates through its mobile application and official website, ensuring commuters are well-informed about any disruptions or changes in services.

Store Value Cards (Metro Smart Cards) for cashless payment of parking charges was launched in Dec 2018.
Differential Parking Fare at all stations was launched on 02.05.2023 for encouraging CMRL commuters to use parking facilities at discounted rates for daily as well as monthly journeys.
Parking Integration – Payment of Parking charges using NCMC cards was launched in Feb 2024.
Store value QR Pass integration with Parking for parking fare payments was launched in Feb 2024.

Real-time Parking availability Information:

The real time parking slot availability is made accessible to all the commuters through CMRL official website and mobile application. With this facility CMRL Commuters can find out the capacity, type of vehicle parking available and currently availability of parking slots at all the parking areas which are managed by the CMRL.

Connecting Chennai/Organizational events:

Chennai Metro has undertaken the proposed idea to enable IPL fans to travel seamlessly to cricket stadium using their IPL ticket as a CMRL authorized ticket this IPL 2023 season! The barcode in the IPL ticket was validated at the entry and exit gates to allow IPL fans to travel
across stations to reach to and from the stadium to their homes.
CMRL is also planning to implement BULK BOOKING for events like sports events or events organized by certain corporates for their employees etc. Under the bulk booking option, companies can choose the source and destination stations at fare rates decided by CMRL authority.

4. CONCLUSION:

The digital transformation in ticketing at Chennai Metro Rail Limited has revolutionized the way passengers interact with the ticketing system. Through the implementation of mobile ticketing, QR code integration, smart card systems, and online platforms, CMRL has significantly improved
convenience, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By embracing digital technologies, CMRL continues to enhance its services, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for commuters using the Chennai Metro Rail network.

கடைசியாக புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டது : August 3, 2024