Bengaluru: BMTC hits ₹1 crore daily revenue milestone via UPI

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has reached a significant milestone in digital transactions, surpassing ₹1 crore in daily revenue through Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This achievement comes within a month of launching an initiative to promote cashless ticketing.

Also read: BBMP invites public inputs on Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill

BMTC officials reported a steady increase in digital payments since the start of the year. Daily UPI collections rose from ₹56.6 lakh on January 9 to ₹60.05 lakh by January 13, eventually crossing ₹1 crore on February 3. Currently, UPI payments account for 32% of total ticket sales, a substantial rise from the previous 10% share. In January alone, UPI transactions contributed ₹19.66 crore.

Strategic Push for Cashless Travel

The success is attributed to strategic planning, including discussions with depot managers and senior officials to address challenges in digital adoption. Conductors and passengers were encouraged to switch to UPI, with efforts made to resolve concerns like network connectivity.

To enhance accessibility, static UPI QR codes have been installed in 75% of BMTC buses. While many commuters appreciate the convenience, some have suggested improvements, such as conductor-held scanner tag cards for faster transactions.

Meanwhile, Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has also embraced digital payments, rolling out over 10,000 Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) across its 8,800-bus fleet since November 2024.