More Akola bus passengers buy ST tickets via UPI, fewer fights over change

Quarrels between passengers and conductors over loose change for tickets on State Transport (ST) buses are gradually fading. Since the State Road Transport Corporation introduced digital payments on ST journeys, such disputes have reduced. Passengers at the Akola depot are responding well to UPI tickets.

According to information provided by the Akola division, 14,123 passengers paid by UPI to buy tickets last year. This year the figure has reached 18,917, an increase of 4,794 passengers over last year.

In September, about 18,917 passengers in all bought tickets through UPI. This brought in revenue of Rs 1,89,255 at Akola Depot No. 1, the Akola ST corporation said. With summer holidays in April and May, the number of passengers is likely to rise, and revenue of lakhs of rupees is expected from UPI transactions.

The share of tickets bought through PhonePe, Google Pay, the BHIM app and similar UPI payments appears to be rising steadily in Akola district. This has brought transparency to transactions and appears to be curbing arguments between conductors and passengers. According to figures for the two months of March and April, UPI transactions numbering in the lakhs were completed successfully every day across the ST corporation.

On the other hand, complaints about frequent network problems are also increasing.

ST's journey, from the Lalpari it is known for, to Shivshahi and now the eco-friendly e-Green bus service, has reached air-conditioned and comfortable travel. Passengers like these services. The e-bus service is currently a special attraction for passengers, and UPI, digital and online tickets draw the highest response on it.

Akola Divisional Controller Smita Sutwane said passengers are responding well to the facility of buying tickets by UPI. Besides removing the problem of loose change, the ticketing process has become simpler and more transparent. Digital payment saves passengers' time and lets them buy a ticket even without cash in hand. She appealed to as many passengers as possible to make use of the facility.