Pune Metro Line Three Readies Smart Ticketing

Pune: Metro Line 3 connecting Hinjewadi and Shivajinagar is preparing for passenger operations with a fully digital ticketing ecosystem, even as the corridor awaits final safety approval. The move marks a significant step towards integrated urban mobility, enabling commuters to access multiple payment and ticketing options while supporting smoother travel across one of Pune’s busiest employment corridors.

The first operational stretch of Metro Line 3 will cover 12 stations between Maan in Hinjewadi and the R.K. Laxman Museum station in Baner, with the remaining stations scheduled to open in phases after regulatory approvals. Transport planners believe the corridor will provide a much-needed public transit alternative for thousands of daily commuters travelling between residential neighbourhoods and Pune’s expanding information technology and commercial districts. Authorities have completed installation of the Metro Line 3 ticketing system across the initial stations, introducing a mix of contactless and digital payment options designed to minimise queues and improve station efficiency. Passengers will be able to use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), QR-code tickets generated through mobile applications and WhatsApp, automated Ticket Vending Machines, as well as conventional ticket counters. The approach reflects the broader transition towards integrated mobility solutions across Indian cities.

Each station has also been equipped with Automatic Fare Collection gates to streamline passenger movement. The layout includes dedicated entry and exit gates along with wider accessible gates for persons with disabilities, ensuring compliance with inclusive mobility principles while improving station operations during peak travel periods. Urban mobility experts note that digital fare systems reduce transaction time, encourage cashless payments and improve operational efficiency by generating real-time passenger data. Such information can support future planning, optimise train frequencies and strengthen multimodal connectivity across rapidly growing metropolitan regions. The corridor is expected to become a critical transport link for Pune’s western growth belt, where rapid commercial expansion, technology parks and high-density residential development have intensified pressure on existing road infrastructure. By shifting a larger share of commuters towards public transport, Metro Line 3 could help reduce congestion, lower transport-related emissions and contribute to more sustainable urban mobility.

Initially, commuters using the official Pune Metro application will access separate ticketing options for Metro Line 3 and the existing metro network. However, authorities plan to integrate journey planning once the proposed interchange at District Court station becomes operational, allowing passengers to travel seamlessly across different metro corridors using a unified digital platform. Officials have also indicated that the system will support multiple payment modes, including UPI, debit cards and cash, ensuring accessibility for a broad range of users. With the final inspection by the Commissioner of Railway Safety pending, preparations are now focused on operational readiness so that passenger services can begin soon after regulatory clearance. The rollout represents another milestone in Pune’s long-term effort to develop an integrated, low-carbon public transport network capable of supporting future urban growth.

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Pune Metro Line Three Readies Smart Ticketing