WhatsApp feature in Bengaluru Metro nears 3 lakh journeys

The Bangalore Metro’s WhatsApp ticketing feature is rapidly gaining traction, with monthly usage approaching significant volumes. This trend highlights a shift toward accessible, mobile-first public transit solutions, demonstrating how low-tech platforms can effectively expand digital inclusion for daily commuters. Despite this growth, the feature captures only a fraction of total ridership, indicating that smart cards and token systems remain dominant. This disparity suggests that while new digital tools are viable, they have not yet displaced established infrastructure, pointing to a gradual rather than immediate transformation in passenger behavior and payment preferences. This case is relevant to open data initiatives as it illustrates the importance of transparent usage metrics in evaluating digital service adoption. By analyzing such data, policymakers and developers can better understand adoption barriers and optimize future open platforms to ensure they meet the diverse needs of urban populations.

Source: thehindu.com
Published on 2023-04-25