To boost transportation in the city, The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approached London’s Transport For London (TFL), and has asked them to prepared a detailed plan for an integrated ticketing system (ITS) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR)



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To boost transportation in the city, The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has approached London’s Transport For London (TFL), and has asked them to prepared a detailed plan for an integrated ticketing system (ITS) in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

According to a report in Hindustan Times, the MMRDA has decided to have it own ITS in place. Better known as the smart card, the objective of the ITS is to help commuters skip long queues at ticket counters. If all plans fall into place, in the future Mumbaikars will be able to travel anywhere in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, without cash.

HT further reported that TFL is likely to submit its report to the MMRDA in three months’ time. “Once the report is submitted, we will invite tenders for execution of the system. According to our estimation, the smart card system will be operational in 18 months’ time,” MMRDA additional commissioner Sanjay Khandare told the paper.

“TFL is supposed to devise a common operating system for all transport modes in the region. In addition, it will have to identify locations for Automated Fare Collection (AFC) machines for smooth commuter transition from one mode to other,” Khandare was further was further quoted as saying. In addition, smart card owners may also be entitled to discounts on shopping as MMRDA has plans to tie up with banks.

TFL is credited with launching a smart card system in London, called Oyster, wherein it can be used to travel on bus, tram, metro, rail services, and book flights too.

HT further informed that apart from Mumbai Metro One, all other public transport modes in the MMR region have given their approval for the ‘smart’ plan.