Kolkata Metro introduces paper-based QR Code tickets to do away with ‘missing tokens’ problem

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India]: The Kolkata Metro has started a Paper-Based QR Code Ticketing System on an experimental basis in the East-West Corridor to do away with the problem of missing tokens.

The QR code tickets introduced on Wednesday are an alternative mode of ticketing system for commuters in Kolkata.

“The problem of missing tokens will cease to exist. We noticed that some people did not return their tokens. Every month we lost approximately one thousand tokens. Secondly, the maintenance and downtime will be reduced to a large extent,” Soumitra Biswas (Principal Chief Operations Manager) of Kolkata Metro said speaking to media on Wednesday.

Biswas added that tokens are much more expensive than paper-based tickets and this new ticketing system will help in bringing down costs.

“With this, the maintenance cost will come down,” he said.

Speaking on reducing manpower, he said, “Manpower will not be reduced. This is because these paper tokens will be given from machines and counters as well.”

“The paper-based QR code ticketing system will start only at Sealdah station on an experimental basis. If is this successful Kolkata metro will start this system throughout East West Metro Corridor (Green line, Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake sector 5),” Kaushik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer Metro Railway said to media on Wednesday. The green line is operational from Sealdah to Salt Lake Sector 5 at present.

Mitra informed that the QR tickets may also be introduced in the North-South corridor in the Blue Line (Kabi Subhash to Dakshineswar) and Purple Line (Joka to Taratalla) as well.

“One can enter and exit the gates by scanning these codes. There will be no problem and less costs. It is user-friendly,” Mitra said listing out the advantages of the QR tickets.

Speaking about tokens that were used as tickets, he said, “Tokens will be there along with a QR paper code.”

On future developments in the field of Metro travel, Mitra said, “In future, we will be working on saving time so that one does not need to stand in queues at the counter. We will be making this available in the Automatic Smart Card Recharge Machine.”