Say goodbye to smart cards: DMRC introduces a virtual card for Delhi Metro commuters, here¡¯s how it will works

The Delhi Metro has played a major role in transforming public transportation in India. It introduced a modern, air-conditioned, and eco-friendly transit system that has greatly improved mass transportation not only in Delhi but across the country. With a network spanning about 392.44 kilometers and 288 stations, including routes in NOIDA-Greater NOIDA and the Rapid Metro in Gurugram, the Delhi Metro has set a high standard. It completed this vast project faster than expected and within budget.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is set to enhance the commuting experience with a new virtual card system. This upcoming feature, available on the Momentum 2.0 mobile app, will revolutionize the way passengers pay for their rides on the Delhi Metro. Here¡¯s everything you need to know about the Delhi Metro Virtual Card.

What Is the Delhi Metro Virtual Card?

In an exciting development, DMRC is introducing a virtual smart card system that will allow passengers to pay for their Delhi Metro rides using their smartphones. Expected to be launched by late August or early September, this new feature will replace the need for cash or physical smart cards. Instead, passengers can use their phones to manage and pay for their journeys.

Credit: BCCL

DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar told PTI ¡°We are planning to introduce QR for stored value. It will be like a card which will not be restricted to a single journey. It will also reduce the number of paper prints¡±.

Benefits of the New Virtual Card

The new virtual card offers several advantages:

• Convenience: No need to carry cash or physical smart cards. Just use your phone for payments.
• Eco-Friendly: Reduces the need for paper tickets and physical smart cards, contributing to a greener environment.
• Secure: Your balance is stored securely in the app. Even if you lose your phone, you can log in on another device to access your funds.

How It Works

Credit: BCCL

Currently, the Momentum 2.0 app provides QR-code tickets that are valid for single trips only. However, with the introduction of the virtual smart card, a single QR code will be valid for multiple journeys. The fare will be automatically deducted from your app wallet for each ride, making the process seamless and hassle-free.

Payment and Security Features

The virtual card will function similarly to the physical smart cards available at metro counters. Passengers can top up their digital wallet on the DMRC app and use the stored value to generate QR codes for their trips. The app will support various payment methods for recharging your wallet, and your balance will be protected even if your phone is lost or damaged.

Streamlined Travel Experience

The virtual smart card system aims to simplify travel for frequent commuters by eliminating the need for new tickets or physical passes for every journey. It integrates smoothly with existing features, including the Delhi Metro QR ticket option available through Amazon Pay. Passengers can select their destination stations, make payments, and instantly receive their mobile QR tickets.

About DMRC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established on May 3, 1995, as a joint venture between the Delhi Government and the Central Government to build and operate a world-class rapid transit system. The first section of the Metro opened between Shahdara and Tis Hazari on December 25, 2002. The first phase of 65 kilometers was completed nearly three years ahead of schedule in 2005, and another 125 kilometers were finished in just four and a half years during the second phase.

Today, the Delhi Metro network covers about 392.44 kilometers and includes 288 stations. It extends beyond Delhi to NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Bahadurgarh, and Ballabhgarh. New trains with advanced technology, like the Unattended Train Operation (UTO) and Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), have been introduced on the Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar and Janakpuri West - Botanical Garden lines. The network also features the NOIDA - Greater NOIDA Aqua Line, built and operated by DMRC, and the 12.85-kilometer Rapid Metro connecting with the Delhi Metro at Sikanderpur station in Gurgaon.

The Airport Express link connects Indira Gandhi International Airport with New Delhi, putting Delhi among global cities with high-speed rail connections to airports. DMRC operates over 300 train sets with four, six, and eight coaches.

The Delhi Metro has also made significant environmental contributions. It was the first railway project to earn carbon credits for regenerative braking and has been certified by the UN for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, helping cut pollution by 630,000 tons annually.

DMRC has installed rooftop solar panels at many stations and is building all new stations as green buildings. The latest construction phase has added 160 kilometers of Metro lines, linking various parts of Delhi and neighboring areas.

Overall, the Delhi Metro not only offers a comfortable public transport option but also plays a crucial role in reducing pollution and traffic congestion in the city.

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