Bengaluru metro tickets to be available soon on Rapido, other mobility apps
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Metro passengers will soon be able to book their tickets through mobility apps like Rapido, Google Maps, and Redbus, making travel more convenient and seamless, reported MoneyControl.
Quoting sources the report mentioned that Rapido has already started testing the Metro ticket booking feature on its app. Users will be able to book auto-rickshaws, cabs, and Metro rides all in one place. Rapido is also planning to offer a 20% discount on the first Metro ticket booked through its platform. Meanwhile, Tummoc, another mobility app that already offers BMTC bus passes, is also piloting Metro ticketing.
This new initiative is being launched through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), which has partnered with more than 10 mobility apps. A senior official from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) told Moneycontrol that ONDC will allow users to book Metro tickets from any app of their choice. An official rollout of the ONDC-Metro ticketing integration is expected next month.
To enable this service across different platforms, BMRCL has partnered with SequelString AI (SAI), a technology solutions provider. In the coming weeks, ticketing will also become available through Namma Yatri and Google Maps.
Currently, BMRCL data shows that as of April 2025, 48.1% of Metro users used smart cards, 29% used tokens, and 22.8% used QR-code tickets. In that same month, 2.28 crore people traveled by Metro.
Meta-owned WhatsApp introduced QR ticket booking in 2022, but it does not yet support full journey planning, including first- and last-mile connectivity. BMRCL also has partnerships with Paytm for QR-code ticketing and Amazon Pay for smart card recharges.
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Australia add Steve Smith as replacement for Hazlewood in T20 World Cup squad
Pallekele (PTI): Senior Australia batter Steve Smith was on Monday approved as replacement for the injured pacer Josh Hazlewood, hours before his side's must-win T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka here.
Smith thus becomes the 15th member of the injury-hit Australia squad.
"Smith is named as a replacement for Hazlewood, who is now officially ruled out from participating in the tournament due to a calf injury. The team’s medical staff had hoped to have him fit in time to feature in the latter parts of the tournament but were unsuccessful," the ICC said in statement.
Smith had earlier been flown to Sri Lanka as cover for skipper Mitchell Marsh, who missed Australia's opening two matches due to a testicular injury.
The veteran batter trained with the squad on Sunday and is in contention to feature in the crucial clash.
Smith has not played a T20I since February last year but has been in good form in the format in domestic competitions.
In positive signs for the 2021 champions, Marsh too has returned to training. The skipper batted in the nets while also taking part in running and fielding drills on Sunday.
Australia’s World Cup campaign is hanging in the balance following their 23-run defeat to Zimbabwe, and they must beat Sri Lanka on Monday to avoid an early exit.
