The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has expanded its digital ticketing system by integrating with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), expanding cashless travel options.
According to BEST`s statement, the initiative is part of the Maharashtra government’s broader push to bring public transport systems, including buses, metro, and suburban rail, onto a unified digital platform, as announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Shift towards digital ticketing
BEST officials said the undertaking has, over the years, introduced smart cards, mobile ticketing applications, and other digital solutions, significantly increasing the share of digital revenue collection.
With ONDC integration, passengers can now purchase QR code-based bus tickets through multiple apps, eliminating the need for a dedicated ticketing application.
Ticketing across popular apps
Currently, BEST tickets can be booked through ONDC-enabled platforms, with plans to expand availability across widely used apps such as PhonePe, Paytm, WhatsApp, RedBus, Rapido, and Namma Yatri. Commuters can select routes, destinations, and ticket types, and complete payments digitally, the statment said.
Officials said the move will make ticketing more convenient and widely accessible, especially for users already familiar with these platforms.
No separate app required
A key feature of the integration is that passengers will no longer need to download a separate BEST app. Tickets can be purchased directly through commonly used applications.
According to the statement, the ONDC platform will also enable seamless multi-modal connectivity, allowing commuters to plan and pay for first-mile to last-mile journeys across buses, metro, and other transport systems through a single digital interface.
Adoption expected to rise
Currently, around 15-16 per cent of BEST’s ticketing is digital. Officials expect this to rise to 25-30 per cent once the ONDC integration is fully implemented.
BEST, which caters to around 26 lakh passengers daily, said the initiative marks a significant step towards modernising Mumbai’s public transport system and making it more efficient, integrated, and future-ready.
Mumbai Metro Line-1 unveils RapidCash to offset travel costs with cashback
Earlier this month, Mumbai Metro One Private Limited launched a new mobile application, RapidCash, aimed at turning everyday online shopping into savings on metro travel, officials said in a release.
According to the release, the app enables commuters on Mumbai Metro Line-1 to earn instant cashback on purchases made through leading e-commerce platforms, helping offset their daily commuting expenses.
Promoted by Reliance Infrastructure, Mumbai Metro One said the initiative is part of its continued push towards commuter-centric innovation.
Developed in collaboration with Acetech Digital and SequelString AI Private Limited, RapidCash allows users to earn up to Rs 20 cashback per transaction on platforms such as Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, and Ajio.
The cashback is credited instantly and can be redeemed directly into users’ bank accounts, offering a seamless and user-friendly experience, the release stated.
A spokesperson for Mumbai Metro One described RapidCash as a “first-of-its-kind innovation in the metro industry,” designed to provide tangible benefits to commuters.
