Now,swipe ‘smart key chains’ to ride the Metro

“Unlike the usual smart cards,which are of the size of credit cards,the smart key chains are much smaller. Their corners are rounded and sides tapered,so that they do not cause cuts while being taken out from pockets. They are made of high-quality plastic and coated with acrylic resin to make them unbreakable,” a DMRC spokesperson said.

Each smart key chain is priced at Rs 50 and is available at the customer care centers at all Metro stations.

DMRC has procured 50,000 smart key chains in the first lot. Order for more will be placed depending on demand,the official said. At present,15 lakh smart cards are in circulation. According to DMRC estimates,55 per cent commuters use smart cards.

On Tuesday,DMRC also launched an identity card for station managers and controllers authorised to impose fines on commuters,who violate rules and regulations in DMRC premises.

“Since November 2008,station managers and controllers are authorised to impose fines. So far,around 3,000 violators have been fined for offences like spitting,squatting,creating nuisance and defacing Metro property,” the spokesperson said. “But there were instances of arguments between the staff and violators,who objected that managers imposed fines without an authority proof. The new identity card has been launched to address this issue.”