Finance:Rapid Pass

From HandWiki
Short description: Smart card fare system in Bangladesh
Rapid Pass
Rapid Pass card
LocationDhaka, Bangladesh
Launched4 January 2018 (2018-01-04)
Technology
OperatorDhaka Transport Coordination Authority
ManagerDhaka Transport Coordination Authority
CurrencyBDT (৳100 minimum load, ৳2000 maximum load)
Stored-valuee-purse
Credit expiryNone
Auto rechargeNo
Validity
    • Dhaka MRT
    • Dhaka BRT
    • BRTC
    • Bangladesh Railway
    • BIWTA
Retailed
  • 34 branches and sub branches of Dutch-Bangla Bank[1]
Websiterapidpass.com.bd

The Rapid Pass is a smart card automated fare collection system based on near-field communication (NFC) technology used on participating public transit systems in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.[2] Rapid Pass card readers were implemented on a trial basis in 2017. Full implementation began in January 2018 and it was rolled out across rapid transit stations, railway stations, bus stops and terminals, and transit vehicles on many different transit systems.

History

In 2014,[3] Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority took up a project to develop an automated fare collection system for Dhaka city at a cost of Template:BDT. Japan International Cooperation Agency provided technical assistance and 73% of the total budget for the project. The authority concerned decided to introduce Rapid Pass service on trial basis for buses operated by Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation plying on Abdullahpur–Motijheel route in the city in May 2017.[4] Sheikh Hasina, prime minister of the country, inaugurated the card service of the Rapid Pass on 4 January 2018. The project was said to be completed in 2019,[5] which was in the process of setting up a clearing house bank for multiple transport services which was implemented by Dutch-Bangla Bank.[6] In the meeting on bus route rationalization organized on 21 June 2022, it was decided to ensure the use of Rapid Pass in all modes of transport in Dhaka.[7] From September 2023, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation decided to implement Rapid Pass for all bus transport services operated by them.[8]

Card usage

Along with MRT Pass, Rapid Pass can be used in Dhaka Metro stations for the same purpose

This card can be used to purchase tickets for BRTC bus services, BIWTA launches, Bangladesh Railway train services, MRT and BRT.[9] Passengers will get a 10% discount on the fare for using the Rapid Pass or MRT Pass in Dhaka Metro Rail.[10][11]

Purchase and reload

For the card, one has to register and purchase the card from any of thirty four branches and sub branches of Dutch-Bangla Bank. The branches are including Motijheel Local Office Branch, Motijheel Foreign Exchange Branch, Elephant Road Branch, Uttara Branch, Banani Branch, Gulshan Circle-1 Branch, Gulshan Branch and Sonargaon Janpath Branch. These branches also act as recharge point.[12] Besides, cards can be purchased and recharged at 10 bus counters located at House Building, Uttara, Banani, Shahbag, Motijheel, Rampura, Notun Bazaar, Gulshan-2, Shooting Club, Dhaka Chaka Banani Stopage and Police Plaza.[13] The price of Papid Pass is 400 BDT (200 BDT pre-recharged on the card). The card can be also recharge from the Dhaka Metro Rail ticket machines.[1]

Criticisms

Even after the launch of Rapid Pass, it was not made available for all bus services. On the other hand, bus operators are unwilling to use it to collect fares as they cannot collect more than the government fixed fare.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "MRT pass নিবেন নাকি Rapid Pass" (in bn). Dhaka Metro Rail. https://dhakametrorail.com/content/21/. 
  2. ↑ "Rapid Pass Logo Description". https://rapidpass.com.bd/index.php/welcome/ic_logo. 
  3. ↑ Mamun, Sohel (14 October 2017). "Do you have your Rapid Pass?". https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/10/14/do-you-have-your-rapid-pass. 
  4. ↑ Ahmed, Shamim (24 January 2017). "ঢাকার গণপরিবহনে আসছে 'র‍্যাপিড পাস'". https://bangla.bdnews24.com/business/article1277781.bdnews. 
  5. ↑ Mamun, Sohel (13 May 2022). "Lack of coordination delays Rapid Pass project". https://www.dhakatribune.com/editorial/2022/04/04/improving-our-railway. 
  6. ↑ "PM launches Rapid Pass Card to ease bus fare payment". The Independent. 5 January 2018. https://theindependentbd.com//arcprint/details/131149/2018-01-05. 
  7. ↑ "গণপরিবহনের জন্য হচ্ছে র‍্যাপিড পাস : মেয়র আতিকুল". 21 June 2022. https://www.dhakapost.com/national/124125. 
  8. ↑ "বিআরটিসির বাসে আসছে র‌্যাপিড পাস". Kaler Kantho. 9 August 2023. https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2023/08/09/1306645. 
  9. ↑ "Passengers can also pay metro rail fare with Rapid Pass". 28 December 2022. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/transport/passengers-can-also-pay-metro-rail-fare-rapid-pass-559446. 
  10. ↑ "Passengers who can travel Metro Rail without fare". Kalerkantho. 28 December 2023. https://www.kalerkantho.com/english/online/national/2022/12/28/44749. 
  11. ↑ "Metro rail commuters to get 10% discount by paying fares on smart cards". THE BUSINESS STANDARD. 8 September 2023. https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/transport/metro-rail-commuters-get-10-discount-paying-fares-smart-cards-492718. 
  12. ↑ "'র‍্যাপিড পাস' পেতে যা করতে হবে". 14 January 2018. https://www.jagonews24.com/national/news/403665. 
  13. ↑ "উন্নয়ন মেলায় মিলছে র‌্যাপিড পাস কার্ড". 6 October 2018. https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/678609.details. 
  14. ↑ Shafiq, Shahed (25 February 2018). "র‍্যাপিড পাস কার্ডে আগ্রহ নেই পরিবহন মালিকদের". https://www.banglatribune.com/national/297425/%E0%A6%B0%E2%80%8C%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A1-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0. 



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