Pune Metro Line Three Expands Digital Ticketing

Pune: Commuters using the upcoming Pune Metro Line 3 will gain access to an expanded range of digital ticketing and payment options, with authorities introducing QR-based ticketing, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) compatibility and automated fare collection systems. The initiative is expected to improve passenger convenience while supporting faster, more integrated urban mobility across the city.

The new ticketing framework has been designed to reduce waiting times at stations and encourage wider adoption of contactless travel. Passengers will be able to purchase QR-based tickets through WhatsApp as well as the official metro mobile application, allowing entry without visiting conventional ticket counters. Metro officials have indicated that, during the initial phase, the mobile application will support separate ticket bookings for the city’s existing metro corridors and Pune Metro Line 3. Once the network is interconnected through the District Court interchange station, commuters are expected to access all operational metro corridors through a unified ticketing interface, simplifying multi-line journeys. The corridor will also support the National Common Mobility Card under the Government of India’s “One Nation, One Card” initiative. The interoperable card enables passengers to use a single payment instrument across metro systems in multiple Indian cities, encouraging seamless public transport integration and reducing dependence on cash-based transactions.

Alongside NCMC, commuters will have the flexibility to pay using UPI, debit cards and cash, ensuring accessibility for users with different payment preferences. Each station will be equipped with QR code scanners and smart card readers to accelerate passenger movement through entry and exit gates, particularly during peak travel hours. An Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system has been installed across all stations on the corridor. During the first operational phase, the technology will be available at 12 stations, each equipped with multiple automated gates. Authorities have also incorporated wider access gates to improve mobility for passengers with disabilities, reflecting broader efforts to make urban transport infrastructure more inclusive. While digital ticketing is expected to become the preferred option, traditional ticket vending machines and staffed ticket counters will remain available at every station. Officials said the machines have been installed at accessible heights to ensure ease of use for elderly passengers and persons with disabilities.

Transport planners believe integrated digital ticketing is becoming a critical component of modern metro systems, enabling faster passenger processing, improved operational efficiency and better data for transport planning. As Pune’s metro network expands, interoperable fare systems could also support future integration with buses and other public transport services. The introduction of these technologies signals Pune’s continued transition towards smarter urban mobility. As metro connectivity expands across the metropolitan region, simplified ticketing and cashless travel are expected to enhance commuter experience while encouraging greater adoption of sustainable public transport.

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Pune Metro Line Three Expands Digital Ticketing