In a very interesting twist of events, a few private bus operators plying along the tech areas of Kolkata have decided to accept UPI payments due to an issue with spare change. One some routes, bus operators have to shell out commissions of up to 10 per cent to get change for larger amounts, leading to significant losses. Thus, they’re looking at digital payments to plug leakages, according to a Times of India report dated 31 May 2025.
Several buses have started doing this, and based on the success rate, all 38 buses on the route may switch to digital payments. Most of the buses ply on the Barasat, Santragachi, Botanic Garden, Howrah Shibpur, route which serves passengers going to New Town.
The move was welcomed by a lot of people, including those from Kolkata Bus-O-Pedia, a Facebook group of busfans. Members of the group said that they had seen the system in use in Bengaluru on BMTC buses. They also cautioned bus owners and asked them to frame the QR code to prevent it from being manipulated.
Fun fact: A nearly identical article by the same author (Dwaiyapayan Ghosh) featuring similar quotes was published by the Times of India on 25 January 2023.
At this time, I am yet to ascertain whether WBTC buses accept digital payments or not although I know they have printed tickets.
Featured Image: Cartoon Man Scanning QR Code inside Bus (Le Chat/Mistral AI)
