Rapid Pass

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Rapid Pass
Near field communication
  • Contactless smart card
    • OperatorDhaka Transport Coordination Authority
    ManagerDhaka Transport Coordination Authority
    CurrencyBDT (৳100 minimum load, ৳2000 maximum load)
    Stored-valuee-purse
    Credit expiryNone
    Auto rechargeNo
    Validity
    Retailed
    Websiterapidpass.com.bd
    Part of a series on
    Transport in Bangladesh
    Modes
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    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 ৳39.06 crore. 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

    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

    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. ^ a b "MRT pass নিবেন নাকি Rapid Pass" (in Bengali). Dhaka Metro Rail. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
    2. ^ "Rapid Pass Logo Description".
    3. ^ Mamun, Sohel (14 October 2017). "Do you have your Rapid Pass?". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    4. ^ Ahmed, Shamim (24 January 2017). "ঢাকার গণপরিবহনে আসছে 'র‍্যাপিড পাস'". Bdnews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    5. ^ Mamun, Sohel (13 May 2022). "Lack of coordination delays Rapid Pass project". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    6. ^ "PM launches Rapid Pass Card to ease bus fare payment". The Independent. 5 January 2018. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    7. ^ "গণপরিবহনের জন্য হচ্ছে র‍্যাপিড পাস : মেয়র আতিকুল". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 21 June 2022. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    8. ^ "বিআরটিসির বাসে আসছে র‌্যাপিড পাস". Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
    9. ^ "Passengers can also pay metro rail fare with Rapid Pass". The Business Standard. 28 December 2022. Archived from the original on 28 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    10. ^ "Passengers who can travel Metro Rail without fare". Kalerkantho. 28 December 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
    11. ^ "Metro rail commuters to get 10% discount by paying fares on smart cards". THE BUSINESS STANDARD. 8 September 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
    12. Jago News (in Bengali). 14 January 2018. Archived
      from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    13. ^ "উন্নয়ন মেলায় মিলছে র‌্যাপিড পাস কার্ড". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 6 October 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
    14. ^ Shafiq, Shahed (25 February 2018). "র‍্যাপিড পাস কার্ডে আগ্রহ নেই পরিবহন মালিকদের". Bangla Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 December 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
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