Let DMRC, DTC, NR Forge Alliance, Issue `Master Cards’ To NCR Commuters: ASSOCHAMThursday, February 04, 2010

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Northern Railways (NR) should forge an alliance to evolve a mechanism for issuance of“Master Cards”on lines of`OYSTER CARD’in vogue in London so that commuters in NCR can take optimum advantage of their transport facilities on mutually convenient lines.

In a communication jointly addressed to DMRC, DTC and Northern Railways, the ASSOCHAM Secretary General, Mr. D S Rawat has pointed out that OYSTER CARD facilities are widely prevalent in London to enable it’s commuters to commute within the city on transport facilities of their choice.

In London, commuting through this Card is permitted in bus, Tube, trams, DLR,London OvergroundandNational Rail serviceswith owning a Oyster Card which has a reasonable price tag but provides them with options.

Since, NCR now provides for multiple transportation system which include bus, railways and metro service, similar facility of issuing of Master Card should be created in NCR so that commuters can ply to and fro through different modes of transportation of their choice.  This will enable them spend lesser time in commuting and at the same time crowd in existing transport system will wean awayprovided the master card are priced affordable without eroding revenues of authorities that ran them.

Mr. Rawat said that in a bid to provide options and facilities to NCR commuters, the ASSOCHAM has floated the idea for introduction of Master Cards in its’ public transportation system, feasibility of which can be possible provided three agencies namely Northern Railways, DMRC and Delhi government forge an alliance and work out a mechanism for issuance of suggested cards.

By permitting Master Card on Northern Railway’s local trains which ferry working class from different places like Meerut, Faridabad, Sonepat etc. to Delhi, the Master Card can be the viable option and would encourage those that take advantage of such facility to subscribe this card. The ASSOCHAM has clarified that it does not seek any subsidy on the Master Card.

The proposed cards should be offered at affordable price tag without hurting revenues of any of transportation system.  The suggestion if acceptable, will provide huge relief not only to commuters but those that manage public transportation in Delhi and NCR and reduce lot of paper work, said Mr. Rawat.

However, the ASSOCHAM has suggested that to easy recharge the Master Card holders, the concerned authorities should come out with the facilitation centres in major metro stations, DTC buses, key locations in the NCR’s so that the commuters can recharge the Master card without any hassle.

The Chamber has further pointed out that the Master Card users should be given discount rates of 15-25% since majority of Delhi and NCR’s working community and students have to use the facilities of multiple modes of transport to reach their destination and return home.

The Master Card can bring maximum revenue by targeting corporate sector employers in BPOs, Call centres, IT and service sector since they provide complimentary transport to their employees.

Apart from that, the Chamber has further recommended that Master Card holdershould be given Complimentary Travel Fare for the Senior Citizens, Ex-servicemen/war widows.  For students also, the Master card can be given concessional travel scheme.  By providing concessional fare, the government can generate huge revenue since over 3 lakh students daily commute from NCR to Delhi and from Delhi to NCR.

The Chamber has argued that Oyster has permitted senior citizens and students to travel at a cheaper tariff in London’s bus, Tube, trams,DLR,London OvergroundandNational Rail services.

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