Pune: Pune Metro has set a national benchmark by achieving 70% of its ticket sales through digital platforms, leaving only 30% of passengers relying on cash payments.

This trend highlights Pune Metro's commitment to embracing technology and sustainability, as digital ticketing significantly reduces paper usage, aligning with the metro's eco-friendly objectives.

August 2024 witnessed a substantial 20% increase in Pune Metro's daily ridership, with the average daily passenger count rising to 118,241. This surge in ridership has translated into a revenue boost of ₹5.69 crore for the month, with an average daily income of ₹18.68 lakh.

The Ruby Hall Clinic to Ramwadi route has been a key contributor to this increase, drawing more passengers since its inception. On this route, 71% of the total passengers travel, while the remaining 29% use the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation to District Court route.

The breakdown of digital ticketing methods reveals that 20% of tickets were purchased through digital kiosks at metro stations, 6% through ticket vending machines, 18.8% via WhatsApp, 9.17% using the mobile app, and 13% with the MahaMetro card.

Shravan Hardikar, the Managing Director of MahaMetro, expressed his satisfaction with the growing ridership and the widespread adoption of digital ticketing.

He stated, "The over 20% increase in daily passengers in August 2024 is a positive development for Pune's public transport system. The fact that over 70% of our tickets are being sold digitally showcases the environmental consciousness of Pune's residents. This is a remarkable achievement and a model for the entire country."