The next time you recharge your Metro train smart card at any of the Metro stations , you can ask for a receipt. For, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited authorities have started issuing printed receipts to the commuters after every recharge.
Though the officials say that the receipt is given only to those who ask for it in a bid to save the paper, many people say that it helps them keep a record of their travelling expenses as well avoid any cheating at the time of getting the card recharged.
Officials said that at the time of recharging, one can see the amount on a tiny screen at the counter itself instead of asking for the receipt. But, regular commuters insist that having a receipt comes in handy sometimes for the purpose of reimbursement and even for keeping a tab on the expenses.
Namma Metro offers discounts on travelling for commuters having smart cards depending on the amount it is recharged with. As per an estimate, presently, 40 per cent of commuters use cards and 60 per cent use tokens.
U A Vasanth Rao, Chief Public Relations Officer, BMRCL, said, “The option for getting a receipt was there for a long time but it is not issued until one asks for it in a bid to cut down on the usage of paper. However, we do not discourage those commuters who insist on getting the receipt.” Apart from the smart cards, commuters can also take ticket coins from the ticket vending machines installed at various stations.
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has installed a screen giving out real-time information regarding the quality of air at the station.