Hyderabad — September 6, 2025
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (*TSRTC) is preparing to roll out *smart cards for passengers to make bus travel easier and more convenient. In the first phase, student bus passes will be converted into smart cards. Later, under the Mahalakshmi scheme, women passengers will also be issued these smart cards.
Smart Cards for Students
With the introduction of smart cards, students will be able to travel seamlessly without carrying paper passes. They can simply swipe their card to validate the journey. This reduces the need for manual verification by conductors and saves time during boarding.
Women Passengers to Benefit Under Mahalakshmi Scheme
After implementing the system for students, TSRTC will extend the facility to women traveling under the *Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme. Officials are closely studying the models already in use in *Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, where smart cards have improved transparency and reduced misuse of free travel benefits
Why Smart Cards Matter
- Faster boarding – No need for conductors to manually check IDs or passes.
- Cashless travel – Passengers don’t need cash; payments and validations are digital.
- Transparency – Smart card data ensures proper tracking of beneficiaries under government schemes.
- Convenience – Students and women can travel without carrying paper documents.
In Summary
TSRTC is moving towards a digital ticketing system that begins with students and will soon include women passengers under the Mahalakshmi scheme. The initiative aims to modernize public transport in Telangana, improve efficiency, and reduce misuse of free travel benefits.