Delhi Metro enables smart card integration with buses and parking zone

New Delhi, February 19: In a new attempt to enable people use easy methods of public transportation, the Delhi Metro travellers can now pay their bus fare, parking charges through smart cards. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday expanded the network of Metro smart cards, allowing commuters to use them on feeder buses and for parking at 13 stations in New Delhi.

It is seen that the common mobility card will encourage commuters to park their vehicles at the Metro stations, correcting the existing imbalance that nearly 70% of those who park at the stations at the moment are non-Metro commuters. The authorities have taken this step to ensure last mile connectivity and easy accessibility.

These services are key extensions to the Common Mobility Card project, introduced on January 8 for 250 Delhi Transport Corporation and cluster buses. The Delhi Metro runs a fleet of more than 200 feeder buses covering 40 routes across different lines. Around two lakh people use the feeder buses every day. The minimum fare in feeder buses is Rs 5 and the maximum is Rs 15.

The Metro card can also be used to park at 13 stations — Vishwavidyalaya, Saket, Karkarduma, Dilshad Garden, Akshardham, Patel Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Rohini Sector (18,19), Shastri Park, NHPC Chowk, Mewala Maharajpur, Old Faridabad, and Sector 28 Faridabad and will cover all Metro parking lots over the next two months.