Cubic corp, US based company has launched smart cards for Delhi buses to enable auto fare collection systems and intelligent transportation system applications such as GPS-based vehicle tracking, passenger counting and security systems.
The smart card trial was started in November as part of the Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transit System (DIMTS), a joint initiative of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and the Infrastructure Development Finance Company (IDFC) to deliver world-class urban transportation infrastructure for India’s capital region. The AFC technology for the pilot is based on the well-proven London Oyster Card and other implementations worldwide.
The Cubic system piloted in Delhi is based on contactless RFID technology – smart card-based fare collection systems offer a way to stem the losses and equipment maintenance costs that can occur with cash operations while offering the convenience of seamless, intermodal travel to passengers.
Smart card-based fare collection systems allow transit planners to track how many passengers are using a particular rail line, ferry, bus route or parking facility, ensuring existing resources are used wisely and also plan future expansion of services. Smart card systems are also a good way for local governments and private companies to provide transportation benefits to their workers. – details
Lets hope we get to see more of technology usage in public transport, which is dying for infrastructure upgrade.
hopefully they will make it possible to use the delhi metro smart card for DTC Buses as well. so that the commuter has to carry only one card.