Piloting of the Rapid Pass–a digital fare transaction system–was launched in 2014 before the start of the on-ground construction of the metro rail (MRT line 6) project between Uttara and Motijheel.
The construction of the Dhaka Mass Transit Development Company (DMTCL) is almost complete and is set to open for traffic by this year.
Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) has been implementing the project, which is a microchip card that can be used instead of traditional paper tickets. Unlike paper tickets, which are usually used only once per trip, a Rapid Pass can be used as many times as its balance allows.
Due to the delay in the Rapid Pass project, the DMTCL has decided to prepare a separate digital card for metro rail users.
Dhaka TribuneHowever, if the Rapid Pass is available, it will be unnecessary to print separate smart cards for metro rail.
It is actually a big waste of public money as the Rapid Pass is applicable on all modes of transport, including train, ferry, bus and metro rail, said officials anonymously.
The government undertook a Tk39cr-project, titled “Establishment of Clearing House for Integrating Transport Ticketing System in Dhaka City Area,” in 2014 with the aim of providing commuters with the smart card for all modes of transport by 2016. However, due to stagnation in the progress of the project works, the deadline had to be extended to June 2018.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the groundbreaking scheme for passengers which was applied only to the state-owned BRTC bus and private operator Omama, a luxury bus service between Uttara-Motijheel.
It was expected to deliver 60,000 rapid passes under phase one, but in reality, fewer than 30% of rapid passes were printed.
However, showing the authorities that the pilot project (phase 1) was a successful one, the DTCA started “Establishment of Clearing House for Integrating Transport Ticketing System in Dhaka City Area,” phase-2 in 2019.
The project is being implemented at a cost involving Tk84 crore, with Tk29.5 crore of the amount along with some technical support shared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) while the government’s contribution is over Tk54 Crore.
Phase 2 of the project aims to deliver 100,000 rapid passes to passengers so that they can be used for traveling on metro rail as also on buses and trains.
But progress of the project has been very slow as its procurement plan is still not ready. Therefore, the metro rail authority does not want to depend on the rapid pass system.
Also Read - How will metro rail authorities tackle emergency situations?
Physical construction works for metro rail started in 2016. The metro rail is scheduled to be opened to traffic on December 16 this year.
“We’ve taken all the preparations to print smart cards for collecting fares from metro rail users. We will not depend on the rapid pass as we don’t know when it will be available. Our smart card must be available before launching the new metro service in Dhaka. We can supply smart cards as per the demand of the passengers,” said MAN Siddique, managing director, DMTCL.
While replying to a query, he said there will be a provision to use the rapid pass once it is available.
“Printing of smart cards for metro rail will start immediately after getting approval of the fare rate as the fare rate must be put into the software,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Also Read - Metro Rail: Will concourses in stations be commercially viable?
Meanwhile, Rapid Pass Project Director Md Mamunur Rahman claimed they issued a letter to the authorities about a month ago to share some important issues that are technically important to use Rapid Pass in metro rail. But the DMTCL did not respond to it.
“Rapid Pass is a smart card for all (bus, train, ferry, metro rail). So, we had many meetings with the departments concerned. We sent a letter to the DMTCL too. There is a big gap in coordination in implementing the project,” said Mamunur Rahman.
“We have a budget to print 100,000 cards spending Tk2.8 crore, but we still can’t finalize the procurement plan due to various reasons,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
DTCA Executive Neelima Akhter said rapid passes will be applicable for travelling on metro rail as the government has decided to introduce “one card for all”.
“We’re working to introduce the Rapid Pass as metro rail will be launched in December,” she added.
Benefits of Rapid Pass
A rapid card can be bought by spending Tk200 as a security deposit and Tk200 as an account balance. A user can recharge the card with a minimum Tk100 and a maximum Tk2,000. A single recharge cannot exceed Tk1,000. The total balance cannot exceed Tk2,000.
Rapid Pass users can enjoy a “negative value function” – even with insufficient balance, a card can be charged and the balance will be adjusted once it is recharged. If a card is lost, stolen or damaged, a user can replace it with a new card and transfer the old card's balance to the new one by providing his or her registration information.
If a user wants to cancel his card, he or she can get a refund of the remaining balance by surrendering the card.
