Bengaluru: Nearly half of BMTC's ticket revenue now comes via UPI as passengers go digital

Bengaluru’s bus passengers are increasingly embracing digital payments, with BMTC’s latest revenue data showing a sharp rise in UPI ticket collections.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) records accessed by Moneycontrol show that over the past 20 months, UPI ticket collections have surged from Rs 6.2 crore in January 2024 - just 7.6 percent of total ticket sales - to Rs 43.7 crore by September 2025, 49 percent of the corporation's monthly ticket revenue.

Records show UPI transactions crossing Rs 7 crore per month by mid-2024, before accelerating in early 2025.

Also, read: Bengaluru: BMTC's UPI daily ticket revenue hits Rs 1 crore milestone post-fare hike

In January 2025, BMTC’s UPI collections jumped to Rs 19.6 crore, accounting for more than a fifth of total revenue. The upward trend continued throughout the year, with daily averages climbing from Rs 20 lakh to over Rs 1.4 crore by August and September 2025.

"The digital payment share has now doubled in less than two years. All buses have static QR codes for UPI payments. In fact, some conductors are even completing 100 percent of transactions via UPI," a senior BMTC official told Moneycontrol.

Also, read: Bengaluru to get ‘one city-one mobility card’; Karnataka aims to ease congestion by March 2026

Many passengers have switched to UPI to avoid change-related issues after the bus fare hike on January 5. While 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. Under the Shakti scheme, women continue to travel free in non-AC buses.

Also, read: National Common Mobility Card fails to make a mark in Bengaluru as bus agency is not on board

BMTC officials credit extensive awareness campaigns targeting both passengers and conductors. “We are thrilled to see nearly half of our ticket revenue coming through UPI. This has significantly reduced disputes over change and made commuting easier for passengers and conductors alike,” said another official.

Despite the surge in digital transactions, BMTC has yet to implement the National Common Mobility Card. Even as India’s tech capital embraces digital payments on buses, it still lags behind other major cities in integrating seamless public transport solutions. Cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi already have ONE apps-common mobility platforms integrating all public transport operators.

Also, read: Bengaluru man's post on BMTC conductors and change woes is viral: 'Lost Rs 5'