No more tokens? Delhi Metro launches QR code ticketing for WhatsApp users

Lining up in queues to get a token for your metro ride is a hassle, especially during peak hours. To make commuting more convenient, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced QR code-based ticketing service for WhatsApp users. If you are planning to take a metro ride in Delhi Metro, you can use WhatsApp to get a ticket for your destination, saving you both time and effort to stand in a line. Also Read: Turn your phone into a metro card with DMRC App

But this online ticketing service is not available on all Delhi Metro lines. In a tweet, DMRC announced that the WhatsApp-based ticketing service is available for Airport Express Line — at least for now. That means you can travel to the Indira Gandhi International Airport from select destinations without needing a token or metro card. The Airport Express line operates between the New Delhi Station metro station and Dwarka Sector 21 metro station. Also Read: Should you take the metro or the bus? Compare here!

DMRC has become the sixth metro rail network to offer WhatsApp-based ticketing service. The service was previously launched by Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (Namma Metro), Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro, Hyderabad Metro Rail, and Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Also Read: 5G connectivity is coming to Delhi Metro underground stations: Report

How to book a Delhi Metro ticket on WhatsApp

It is a pretty simple process but keep in mind that this service will work only if you travelling on the Airport Express line. Here is how you can book a ticket for your metro travel.

— On WhatsApp, add DMRC’s official chatbot number 9650855800 to your contacts.

— Start a chat with this WhatsApp number by sending a ‘Hi’.

— Select a language for your conversation by choosing a number representing different languages.

— Now select the Buy Ticket option and send the number representing it in the chat.

— Choose your source and destination metro stations in the next step.

— You must now tell the chatbot the number of tickets you want to buy.

— In the next step, you need to choose the mode of payment. You could choose between UPI, credit card, and debit card. There is no provision for digital wallets yet.

— Make payment for your tickets through a separate window.

— After a successful transaction, a QR code-based ticket will appear in the same chat that you can scan at the scanner installed on AFC gates.

Commuters must ensure that they can book a maximum of six tickets using the WhatsApp service, and each passenger will have their individual ticket. DMRC also said that QR-based tickets booked through WhatsApp will be valid till the end of the business day. Other rules such as the time limit of 65 minutes for a person to complete their travel between source and destination and 30 minutes if the person decides to exit from the source station are also applicable.