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Automatic Fare Collection System

Introduction

With a population that is forecasted to reach 20 million in the next decade, Delhi will have to increasingly depend upon public transport with a fast growing metro service, wide array of bus services and a recently introduced BRT system for its transportation needs.

It is inevitable that as the city keeps pace with its explosive growth – both in terms of population and economy – it would witness a huge increase in trip demands, a majority of which would be difficult to complete in a single vehicle or mode. An inadequate integration in two modes like the metro and bus routes may result in reduction in ridership and an increase of personalized vehicle usage, which in long term would be unsustainable.

For a well-integrated public transport system it is imperative that travel be as seamless as possible and offer a simple integrated fare structure. This is especially true when new modes of public transport such as BRT, Light Rail, and Mono Rail are introduced. To execute a seamless multi-modal integration, an electronic system for unified fare collection and indisputable settlement among operators is essential.

Govt. of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) has nominated DIMTS as the nodal agency for implementing the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) Project. The Project consists of designing, developing, financing, implementing, operating and maintaining and facility management of Automatic Fare Collection System and value added services based on Smart Cards which will be acceptable in multiple travel modes including DTC buses, private buses, metro rail, Light Rail Transit, Mono Rail and value added services like parking, taxis, auto-rickshaws, etc.



What is AFCS?

Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS) is an automated revenue collection system which facilitates purchase of pre-paid tickets and their subsequent use through electronic systems to permit access to or from the transport mode. AFCS reduces on-board ticketing, helps in easy accounting of revenue collection and generates rich information for MIS purposes. In addition, AFC reduces the need for ticket checking staff and helps prevent fraud.

The fare collection system is a key interface between a transit agency and its passengers. It directly affects the way in which passengers experience and perceive the transit agency and its services. In general, the transit passenger expects a fare system that is:

• Fast, easy to understand and use, with reliable fare transactions
• Offers payment options that suit their particular travel needs (frequent, infrequent, weekly, daily, cross-boundary, short-distance, etc)
• Allows easy transfers between modes and different transit providers
• Provides easy access to fare media

AFCS in Delhi

The total number of buses to be covered in the AFC System and equipped with On-bus Sub-systems will be approximately 11,000. The system will also have to be deployed in all bus depots.

DIMTS is working on designing a unique model of the AFCS that would serve multiple purposes:

• All the devices will communicate with central server directly through GPRS, making the system more secure while providing information in real time. In traditional AFCS, the devices communicate with the depot computers when the buses come back to the depots, which then pass it on to the central server. The information reaches central server only at end of day.
• DIMTS is building alternate recharge options in the system to allow card holders to recharge their cards through internet, phone, etc. unlike the traditional AFCS, where the cards can be recharged only at the points-of-sale.
• In the first phase of AFCS, DIMTS is deploying Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs). The ETMs will not be just ticket-stub printing machines, as in conventional ETM solutions, but smart card enabled devices having inbuilt GPRS modules. The system is being designed to transfer data from ETMs directly to the central server without being connected to the computers at the depots. This system will allow for update of master data, configuration data and application in the ETMs over-the-air remotely.
• Thus ETMs will be capable of validating smart card passes and doing transactions on smart cards. Since it will directly communicate with the central system there will be no requirement for computers and operators at the depots for the operation of ETMs.

DIMTS' Role

• Project Conceptualization and monitoring
• Bid Process Management for ETM and Associated Services (including evaluation of Technical Bids)
• Software Development

AFCS card used in Dwarka Circular Sewa

A pilot AFCS was introduced with the Dwarka Circular Sewa – an intra-city bus system for the Dwarka sub-city.