The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka to introduce smartcards for driving licence, RC

The Karnataka Transport Department is planning to introduce smartcards for driving licence and registration certificate (RC) of vehicles. These smartcards, which will have all the details of driving licences and RCs, will replace the existing documents.

New bus terminus

Inaugurating the new bus-stand of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) at Vittal in Dakshina Kannada district on Tuesday, the Karnataka Transport Minister, Mr R. Ashok, said that the Government has issued an order to replace driving licence and RCs with two separate smartcards.

Stating that some states in the country have already issued smartcards, he said these cards will help eliminate fake driving licences and RCs.

Package tickets

Mr Ashok said that KSRTC is planning to introduce two-three days package tickets to commuters. Under this, if a commuter buys a ticket for two days or three days, that commuter can travel anywhere in the State with that ticket. The cost of the package tickets will be in the range of Rs 500-900, he said.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is already offering one-day package in Bangalore city. With this, a commuter can travel anywhere in the city with a ticket of Rs 30.

Later in an informal chat with presspersons, the Minister expressed the inability to reduce the bus fare in the State at this juncture. However, he said that the State may consider revising the fare, if there is a further reduction in diesel rates.

Inter-State services

The KSRTC is recruiting 18,000 new employees, he said.

The KSRTC will run inter-state buses between Mangalore in Karnataka and Kasaragod in Kerala in 10 days. As part of the agreement between the two state governments, Kerala has already begun the operation of its buses between Kasaragod and Mangalore.

Karnataka will also soon begin the operation of KSRTC buses on this route, he added.