The North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) has taken a significant leap forward in embracing digital payment methods for issuing bus tickets. Presently, 415 long-route buses operating from five depots within its jurisdiction have adopted the use of UPI for ticket transactions. Serving six Kittur Karnataka districts, excluding Vijayapura, NWKRTC has ambitious plans to expand the digital payment system to cover all 4,581 buses under its purview.
NWKRTC’s move follows the successful implementation of digital payment facilities in buses by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) since 2020, making NWKRTC the second road transportation corporation (RTC) in Karnataka to offer such services. The transition to digital payments has yielded positive results, with conductors on 415 buses already completing approximately 30,000 individual transactions, amounting to a total of Rs 75 lakh directly credited to NWKRTC’s account.
Sources within NWKRTC have revealed that nearly 20% of all transactions on these buses are now digital. This transition to digital payment methods has alleviated some of the common challenges faced by both passengers and transport officials. For example, it has eliminated the need to provide change to passengers, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, and has streamlined the process of accounting for revenue, making it easier for higher officials to manage and track finances.
This forward-looking initiative by NWKRTC not only enhances the convenience and efficiency of the bus ticketing process but also aligns with the broader digitalization trends in public transportation services, making travel more seamless and hassle-free for passengers while promoting financial transparency within the organization.