PANAJI
A month after its launch, the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited’s (KTCL) Smart Transit Card initiative, branded as 'One Card, Many Destinations' is making waves.
Strictly enforced on three routes -- Orange, Indigo and Green -- in Panaji, passengers without these cards are barred from traveling on the now conductor-less buses. However, other routes within and outside Panaji continue to allow travel even if without the card.
KTCL introduced the Smart Card system as part of its move toward modernizing public transport across Goa including under the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited project, which launched electric buses in July 2024.
“It was always the plan to operate these electric buses without conductors under the Smart City project. The Smart Card system is designed to enable seamless and cashless travel because passengers tap the card (on the pole mount validators) near the entry and exit points of the bus,” a senior KTCL official told The Goan, wishing anonymity.
The phased strict implementation will soon extend to four other routes in Panaji. While the entire fleet of 48 electric buses under the Smart City mission is already operational, 22 EVs are funded by IPSCDL. The remaining 26 were procured from the funds by the Central Government under Goa@60.
"The Smart Card is applicable across all KTCL services including the Maji Bus and Smart City buses. For now, the cards are not compulsory on other routes," the official added.
During the launch on December 19, 2024, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated Smart Card system will revolutionize public transport by eliminating cash transactions and introducing discounted fares for students (50 percent), senior citizens (50 percent) and first-time users (10 percent).
So far, 3,350 passengers have adopted the Smart Transit Card, which needs to be recharged after a certain period. The KTCL has also indicated plans to include mandatory cards for students as well as the introduction of family cards in future.
