Bengaluru Metro to onboard ONDC next month, apps can soon offer seamless travel

Bengaluru Metro

Bengaluru Metro users could soon seamlessly book end-to-end journeys - metro, cab, auto rickshaws, and bus — through aggregators like Rapido, Namma Yatri, and RedBus, as BMRCL plans to join the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform next month, a move that promises to enhance ease of mobility in the city.

"ONDC launch is slated to go live next month in May, subject to certain integrations from the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system contractor," a senior Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) official told Moneycontrol.

Passengers will be able to book Metro tickets, recharge smart cards, and select last-mile rides such as auto rickshaws or taxis — all through a single app. Ticketing will also be available via Google Maps, which offers Metro train timings.

Also Read: Google Maps to provide metro tickets in Kochi, Chennai via Namma Yatri

"SequelString is working on facilitating QR ticket integration on the ONDC platform for BMRCL on a proof-of-concept basis. Multiple third-party apps will be able to build an entire stack for first and last mile connectivity using BMRCL’s QR ticketing. ONDC integration will be completed first, Bharat Bill Pay System (BBPS) integration will follow later," the official added.

Separately, Meta-owned WhatsApp had introduced QR-code-based Metro ticket bookings through its app in November 2022. However, it does not offer first-and-last mile ticketing options.

Metro operators in Chennai and Kochi have already onboarded ONDC. Bengaluru, with its 76-km Metro network — the second largest operational network in the country after Delhi — records around 8 lakh daily ridership. Of the total Bengaluru Metro users, 49 percent use smart cards, while the remaining are QR ticket users (25 percent) and token users (26 percent).

Also Read: ONDC to woo Metro rail operators, enable end-to-end booking for all urban commute

ONDC, a government-backed initiative, aims to enable an open and inclusive digital network for both buyers and sellers, ensuring seamless end-to-end integration of services like ticketing. India’s Metro network has expanded significantly, becoming the third-largest in the world with a total length of 1,000 Km. Metro services are now available across 11 states and 23 cities, serving a combined daily ridership of one crore.