Bengaluru’s BMTC has recorded a surge in UPI transactions, with daily collections touching Rs 1 crore.
According to BMTC records, daily UPI transaction amount rose from Rs 56.6 lakh on January 9 to Rs 60.05 lakh on January 13, Rs 80.1 lakh on January 20, Rs 90.9 lakh on January 27, and Rs 1.03 crore on February 3.
"Around 32 percent of ticket collections are now made through UPI, up from 10 percent earlier. In 2023, QR code revenue stood at Rs 48 crore, which increased to Rs 100 crore in 2024. In January 2025 alone, it has already reached Rs 19.66 crore," said an official.
Also, read: Bengaluru's BMTC sees ridership drop after hike in bus fare
He added that all buses have static QR codes for UPI payments. "We will soon introduce dynamic QR codes in Electronic Ticketing Machines."
Officials said many passengers have switched to UPI to address the issue of loose change following the fare hike. While bus fares increased by 15 percent, the minimum fare rose from Rs 5 to Rs 6, and the maximum fare for non-AC buses went up to Rs 32. However, under the Shakti scheme, women continue to travel for free in non-AC buses.
Despite the surge in digital transactions, BMTC has yet to implement the National Common Mobility Card. Officials said several measures have been introduced to promote cashless travel.
To further encourage UPI adoption, conductors with high digital transaction volumes were recognized and rewarded. “Their success stories were shared among staff members,” said an official.
Also, read: Bengaluru faces transport fare hikes: After BMTC, autos and metro set to increase prices
“A series of brainstorming sessions were conducted with depot managers and senior officers to explore ways to increase digital transactions. We also identified challenges related to digital payments and encouraged both conductors and passengers to adopt UPI payments,” said a senior BMTC official.
Conductors received training on UPI-based ticketing systems and were educated on how to explain the benefits of digital transactions to passengers. “A dedicated technical support team has been set up to assist conductors and passengers with any payment issues. Scanners have been installed across all buses for easy transactions,” said an official. “UPI payments provide a more convenient and passenger-friendly alternative to cash, eliminating the need for commuters to carry physical money,” the official added.
Also, read: Bengaluru man's post on BMTC conductors and change woes is viral: 'Lost Rs 5'
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