Metro makes users smart with key

NEW DELHI: Now, Delhi Metro smart cards will double up as key chains. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday launched these new generation of smart cards to make life easy for regular commuters, who also carry keys of their cars and two-wheelers while travelling in Metro.

The new smart key chains can be used in the same way as normal smart cards to enter and exit Metro stations. While the normal smart cards are of the size of credit cards and can be kept in wallets, smart key chains are much smaller (55 mm in length, 27 mm breadth and 3 mm thick) and can easily be carried in pockets. The corners are rounded and the sides tapered so that they do not cause cuts while being taken out. They are made with high-quality plastic and coated with acrylic resin.

DMRC has procured 50,000 smart key chains in the first lot and order for more will be placed depending on demand. The smart key chains can be purchased for Rs 50 (non-refundable ) at customer care centres at all Metro stations. As in the case of normal smart cards, 10% discount on fares will be given on use of smart key chains. About 15 lakh smart cards are presently in circulation. Among Metro commuters, 55% are smart card users while the rest use tokens.

DMRC also launched an identity card for its station managers and controllers authorized to realize penalty from commuters violating Delhi Metro rules. The Authorised For Penalty identity card is in the form of a wallet made of leather with a di-casted DMRC brass logo of 2 inch diametre inside.