Travel smart on Kochi Metro

KOCHI: The Kochi1 Smart Card, which will facilitate multi-model transport ticketing in the integrated Metro Rail network and feeder services, will be rolled out by the end of this month.

The Smart Card, which will be launched by KMRL in association with Axis Bank, will enable the commuters to travel on various modes of transport. The card can also be used for payment applications including transport, shopping and all other utility needs. 

“We are planning to roll out the cards by the end of this month. The cards will be available at Kochi metro rail stations and at the KMRL office. The cards can be purchased by the commuters by paying Rs 150. The Smart Card can also be linked with the bank account of the passenger.

Any amount can be added or transferred to the card. The card can be used for all purposes other than withdrawal of money through ATMs,” said KMRL managing director Elias George.

Meanwhile, the Kochi1 Mobile App, which will be a complete journey planner for the passenger will also be launched soon. The App is in its finals stages of development and soon will be available on Google Play Store and other similar platforms. Along with providing time schedule of metro train, the app will also help passengers with the schedule of the feeder buses and other services. 

“Linking the app with feeder services will help in ensuring last mile connectivity. The app will act as  a complete journey planner,” he added.

The introduction of click and collect facility by linking it with the Smart Card is also under consideration. This facility will enable a passenger to order commodities while travelling in Kochi metro and collect the goods from a particular metro rail station. The card can be used at almost all the shops and also to pay utility service bills.

George said KMRL will also soon float a tender to identify an online taxi provider to help passengers get vehicle facilities once they they arrive a station. “We will provide them space to set up a kiosk at the station. Similarly, we have already roped in KSRTC to conduct feeder services to areas like Fort Kochi. We are also looking out for the possibilities of using Smart Card on feeder buses too at the time of commissioning of the project,” George added.

Regarding parking, George said initially parking space will be provided at major stations. “We will develop them into a multi-storyed parking space in the coming phases,” he added.

DMRC to Continue
The work of Kochi Metro Rail from Vyttila to Tripunithura is progressing at a snail’s pace due to delay in land acquisition. More over the Chambakkara bridge along the corridor needs to be revamped, which is likely to take another two years. However, the existing contract with DMRC will end by August 2017. “Yes, we are planning to give extension to DMRC till the work up to Tripunithura is completed. A decision in this regard will be officially announced soon,” said George.

Smart Journey

• The Smart Card, which will be launched by KMRL in association with Axis Bank, will enable the commuters to travel on various modes of transport
• The cards can be purchased by the commuters by paying Rs 150
• The Smart Card can also be linked with the bank account of the passenger
• The introduction of click and collect facility by linking it with the Smart Card is also under consideration 
• This facility will enable a passenger to order commodities while travelling in Kochi metro and collect the goods from a particular metro rail station