Smart Ticketing: Now your face will be your journey ticket in Mumbai Metro

Mumbai, India (Urban Transport News): Passengers will no longer have to stand in queues to enter the metro station in Mumbai, the country's financial capital. The AFC gate will open automatically as soon as you get close to the entrance. The passenger's face will be their ticket. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) in association with World Resource Institute India Ross Centre has decided to use AI power imaging technology at stations to provide world-class facilities at metro stations of the Mumbai Metro Rail network. Through this technology, 30 passengers standing in a queue will be able to enter the station in a minute, while the current token system allows only seven passengers to enter the station in a minute.

How this technology will work?

To avail AI-based smart ticketing facilities, travelers have to create their profile on MMRDA's official website. Three photos taken from different directions have to be uploaded on the website. As soon as passengers reach 20 feet closer to the entrance, the cameras installed there will identify their faces and the gate will open automatically. Monthly pass holders can also avail this service by recharging their smart card.

Pilot project

According to MMRDA, Metropolitan Commissioner RA Rajeev, this technology will be used at DN Nagar, Marol Naka, Ghatkopar, Saki Naka metro stations under the pilot project. In the future, this facility will be extended at all metro stations. Apart from giving easy entry to the passengers, the cameras on the gate will also identify the without-ticket passengers.

Feeder bus service

To promote the public transport system, MMRDA has prepared a plan to introduce the feeder bus services. Feeder bus service will run between Powai to Ghatkopar, Powai to Jagriti Nagar, and Powai to Marol Naka. Business establishments that are not currently connected to metro and the people working in such institutes can be easily connected to the metro through the feeder bus.

Electric Scooter & Bicycle Service

A plan has also been drawn to take the passengers to their final destination. Under this, a plan has been prepared to start an electric scooter and cycle service on the Bandra-BKC-Kurla route. Passengers can reach their final destination by taking a scooter or bicycle on a hire basis from the metro station. Soon the service will be started by identifying the parking lot on this route.