It is an intriguing piece of news, no doubt. Dhaka Metro rail passengers have taken around 200,000 single-journey tickets with them instead of returning them after their rides. As a result, the operating company is facing difficulties in issuing tickets to commuters. The single-journey ticket is issued from any station on condition that the commuter deposits it while departing their end station. After collection, the tickets are processed for reissuance.
However, the issue of not returning the ticket by a section of metro rail passengers is not an isolated incident. It's a common practice in some countries in Asia, including India. The experience of Delhi metro rail company is quite relevant in this regard. After the introduction of the metro rail service in 2002, tickets were issued using various tokens. Within a few months, it was detected that many passengers did not return the tokens but rather took those as souvenirs. Initially, Delhi Metro lost 6,000 tokens daily. Despite repeated announcement that taking the tokens outside the station is a punishable offence, there was little improvement. Some also reported losing their tokens. The result was a loss of Rs 50 million between 2009 and 2012.
As an innovative measure, the Delhi Metro authority introduced souvenir tokens for interested passengers in 2009. The response was still poor, as the passengers were little interested in spending an extra amount instead of taking the original tokens with them. The authority also enhanced vigilance, compelling commuters to return the tokens. The authority also started gradually phasing out the token-based ticket system, and the single-journey token was discontinued on August 1, 2023. Delhi Metro now has QR paper-based tickets that can be scanned at gates.
Unlike the plastic round-shaped token used in the Delhi metro, Dhaka metro rapid pass and single-journey tickets are issued as cards similar to ATM or debit cards. Both the rapid pass and single-journey cards are apparently the same except for mentioning the types. Many single-journey passengers took the tickets with them as souvenirs and showed them to their family members and friends to prove their travel. Some also posted their photos with the tickets on different social media.
Thus, what the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the owner and operator of Dhaka metro rail service, is now facing is nothing unique. Review of the experiences of Delhi beforehand and some cautionary steps could have prevented many commuters from taking the single-journey ticket with them. This highlights the importance of each passenger's role in preventing such issues. There should be regular moves alerting passengers to return their tickets at departing stations. Random checking with prior announcements is another option. When passengers are inside the train, an announcement about returning the single-journey ticket can be made. Written notice with adequate visibility may also be placed at exit points of different stations.
As the single-journey tickets cannot be used for any other purpose outside the stations, it is now necessary to get back most of the cards as soon as possible. The DMTCL needs to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign and encourage passengers to return their cards. Boxes can be set up outside the different metro stations to deposit the tickets without entering inside. Offers like discount for a single-journey may also be announced for a week for those who will return the cards within the period. This way, passengers can be part of the solution and help prevent such losses in the future.
Moreover, the DMTCL needs to explore a paperless ticketing system in addition to the existing card-based ticket. An online recharge facility for rapid passes should also be available to make travel smoother.
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