Metrorail commuters can now buy train tickets on
WhatsApp and walk directly to the platforms to board trains.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has launched a
WhatsApp chatbot-based QR-code ticketing service. The
new ticketing service can save passengers from having to
wait in queues at the station ticket counters. Commuters
can purchase up to six tickets by texting the word ‘Hi’ to
8300086000.
“We are creating a boutique of ticketing services for
commuters to choose from and buy tickets easily. We are
also in talks to enable purchase of metro train tickets on
Paytm and Airtel apps,” said M A Siddique, managing
director, CMRL after launching the service at
Thirumangalam metro station.
Passengers can either save the number or scan a QR code
provided at all metro stations and choose a language to text
on the number, choose originating and destination station,
and number of tickets before selecting the payment options
including UPI. A QR-code ticket will get generated which
commuters can place on the automatic fare collection (AFC)
gates at the station to enter the platforms. Commuters can
add regular trips to ‘favorites’ to book tickets directly instead
of going through every step. Commuters can also purchase
tickets on WhatsApp and share it with their family and
friends as the tickets are transferrable. Passengers cannot,
however, purchase group tickets as the number of tickets is
limited to six on WhatsApp chatbot service.
“The tickets are valid for one day and passengers will have to
exit the station within two hours after entering and tapping
the QR-code ticket,” CMRL MD said. Other metro services in
Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad too have WhatsApp
ticketing service.
At present, CMRL provides several options to purchase
tickets including buying at the ticket counter, swipe
smartcards, buying QR-code tickets through CMRL app or
by scanning the QR-code in the stations and the National
Common Mobility Card (NCMC), which was launched in
April. Commuters get a discount of 20% across all ticketing
systems except purchase of tokens at the station ticket
counter. “MTC is developing an application for use of NCMC
cards. It is in process and may be ready in a few months,”
Siddique added. Soon, CMRL will also provide nontransferrable promotional tickets to students in colleges
within a 5km radius of every station to attract more footfalls
to the stations.