Jaipur: After months of trials, Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC) is preparing to replace its token-based ticketing with a fully online system this week, aiming to cut recurring losses and make station entry faster. The corporation has been testing QR-based tickets since early this year while continuing to issue tokens alongside the new option.A senior JMRC official said the trial phase is nearing completion and the online system will be implemented this week across the network. Once the rollout begins, plastic tokens will be withdrawn from counters.“Under the new arrangement, commuters buying tickets at stations will receive printed QR codes, which can be scanned at automatic fare gates. Passengers using the JMRC mobile app, launched on Aug 15, can buy QR tickets digitally and scan them directly from their phones,” the official added.JMRC is also considering a paperless counter system. In that model, passengers would share their mobile numbers at ticket counters and receive QR tickets on their phones instead of printed slips. “However, the plan would be adopted only after assessing passenger comfort with sharing phone numbers,” the official added.The move follows concerns over token losses. A March 29, 2024, TOI report stated Jaipur Metro had lost nearly 80,000 smart tokens over nine years. Each token costs about Rs 22, with daily losses averaging 100 to 150 tokens.JMRC is also exploring integration with IRCTC and other authorised platforms to sell metro tickets through third-party apps, like Delhi Metro and a few other metro services in India. “The plan would be pursued after the full Line 1 stretch becomes operational and ridership rises across more stations in the city,” stated another metro official.
