A physical ticket counter at the Mysore Road metro station in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K
Commuters using Namma Metro will soon be able to book tickets using a variety of mobility apps as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to enhance passenger convenience by integrating with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
This means that metro commuters will be able to book tickets on apps like Tummoc, Rapido, and several other platforms. The initiative aims to simplify commuting by creating a smooth, all-in-one travel experience for metro passengers, according to officials.
End-to-end booking
“This new partnership will make it easier for commuters to plan their entire trip from booking an auto-rickshaw or cab to purchasing a BMTC bus pass and metro ticket using a single aggregator app. This initiative is part of a broader plan to encourage end-to-end journey booking, especially as public transport and last-mile connectivity play an increasingly vital role in urban mobility,” an official said.
The official further explained, “We want to make sure commuters have a truly unified experience. Through the ONDC platform, which has collaborations with more than ten mobility apps, we are enabling people to plan and pay for all legs of their trip. Commuters can choose whichever app suits them best, ensuring they never have to switch between platforms.”
The official also noted that this digital transformation will help improve accessibility, reduce wait times, and encourage greater use of public transport options.
Other integrations
BMRCL has already partnered with a private technology solutions provider to integrate its ticketing services with these apps. Meanwhile, other partnerships for ticketing and smart card recharges are also making metro travel more accessible. WhatsApp, for example, has been offering QR code-based metro ticketing since November 2022. However, this service does not cover first- and last-mile connections like auto-rickshaws and buses.
BMRCL also collaborates with Paytm for QR-code-based tickets and Amazon Pay for smart card top-ups, in addition to its own Namma Metro app for direct recharges.
Timely implementation
Commuters are looking forward to the initiative. “This new booking option may be a game-changer for me if it is implemented properly,” said Rahul Sharma, a regular Metro commuter from Jalahalli.
“Being able to plan my entire trip from my auto ride to my bus pass and Metro ticket all in one app will save me a lot of time and hassle every day. But I really hope BMRCL ensures this launches soon. Many times, good initiatives like this get delayed, and with so many of us using multiple modes of transport every day, it’s important this becomes available on time,” he added.
Published – June 26, 2025 05:18 pm IST
