Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) would introduce pre-paid smart cards, from which ticket fare is debited by Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) system. Aimed at enabling this currency-less transaction, the agency would provide electronic-ticketing machines (ETMs) in all buses by July end, said CMD of the Corporation,

Using the KSRTC’s smart cards commuters would also be able do commercial transactions like buying groceries from shops. The smart cards have been envisaged for KSRTC’s entire bus fleet. Apart from regular commuters, those who avail different passes and students who get fare concession too can opt for this mode.

Mr. Chacko said the smart card planned for the KSRTC would cover not just Kerala, but cities and towns in other States networked by KSRTC buses, benefiting tens of thousands of commuters daily. The KSRTC’s talks with a few banks to supply these debit cards are in the final stage. The cards can be swiped in ETMS.