The Metro Rail system, touted for its efficiency, has encountered persistent complaints surrounding its four automatic ticket vending machines at each station. Passengers have voiced frustrations over malfunctioning machines, raising questions about the root causes and potential solutions.
Commuters like Afrin Akhter at the Secretariat station have experienced inconvenience due to out-of-order machines, leading to delays and discomfort during peak hours. Similar sentiments were echoed by Musa Ibrahim at Mirpur-11 station, highlighting a pervasive issue across various stations.
Md Abdur Rauf, the company secretary (joint secretary) of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, acknowledged the challenges faced by these ticket vending machines. Contrary to being completely broken, Rauf attributed issues to user errors, including incorrect commands and time-consuming money insertion.
Rauf elaborated, stating, “Frequent halts occur due to repeated insertion of old notes, and the depletion of ticket stock is another contributing factor.” He emphasized the need for timely replenishment of ticket supplies, along with addressing technical issues through software updates.
Efforts are underway to rectify these concerns, with Rauf expressing optimism about implementing resolutions promptly. He assured passengers that steps were being taken to enhance the performance of the ticket vending machines, aiming for a smoother and more efficient passenger experience.
Metro rail services, inaugurated on December 29, 2022, initially faced challenges on the very first day, attributed to the overwhelming rush and passengers adapting to new technology. Since January 20, the extension of metro rail operations into the night, from Uttara to Motijheel, has resulted in a significant uptick in passenger numbers, necessitating prompt solutions to streamline ticketing processes.
