The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) unveiled its new mobile app, 'DMRC Travel,' on Friday, offering commuters the convenience of purchasing QR code tickets online. The app was formally launched by the DMRC Managing Director at Metro Bhawan and is currently available on all Android platforms, with an upcoming iOS version in the works. With the new app, passengers can now buy tickets from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to stand in queues at metro stations to purchase tokens. According to sources, after downloading and registering on the app, travelers can buy tickets and directly scan them at the gate using their phones. The app supports various payment methods, including UPI, Credit/Debit Cards, and Wallets. However, in case a commuter's phone is lost or runs out of battery during the journey, they will have to repurchase the ticket from the customer care kiosk. Besides facilitating ticket purchases, the DMRC Travel app offers several additional features, such as a travel planner, fare calculator, station information, and smart card recharge options. Commuters can also view route information from their origin to destination, including interchange stations, and access their transaction history to rebook tickets for the same origin-destination and return journey. The DMRC had been planning to phase out tokens since the onset of the pandemic. Initially, paper QR code tickets were introduced, followed by the WhatsApp-based ticketing service for the Airport Express Line (AEL). Furthermore, passengers could also purchase AEL tickets through the Ridlr app. Currently, approximately 60% of stations are equipped with QR code-compatible automated fare collection (AFC) gates. The DMRC is now prepared to extend mobile-based ticketing across the entire metro network. Upgrading the remaining stations with QR reading AFC gates is expected to be completed within the next 1 to 2 months.
