Bengaluru metro commuters can now purchase single-journey QR-code tickets through WhatsApp and the ‘Namma Metro’ app, announced a Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) press release issued on Monday. The QR-code tickets carry a 5% discount over the token fare for single-journey trips on Bengaluru’s metro, while the service can also be used to top-up metro cards. BMRCL works with "other companies" to provide the service through a business account, according to the account information. Payments can be made through WhatsApp’s native UPI (WhatsApp Pay), the press release adds. However, upon attempting to book a ticket using the services, this MediaNama journalist found that other online payment options routed through PayU are also available—such as by credit card, debit card, netbanking, wallets, UPI, and more. “The BMRCL is the first metro in the Global Transit Space to introduce an end-to-end ticketing system on WhatsApp,” the release claimed. The policy came into effect on November 1st, which also marks Kannada Rajyotsava, the state’s foundation day. Why it matters: After a similar tie-up with Uber last year, this collaboration may help gather momentum for WhatsApp's UPI prospects in India. As of January 2022, it had cornered 0.05% of the market share of UPI transactions—significantly trailing behind PhonePe (46.4%), Google Pay (34.4%), and PayTM (15.4%). However, reports suggest that these tides may be turning, with WhatsApp Pay recording higher transaction counts and volumes in July. [caption id="attachment_171244" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Using the BMRCL Chatbot to purchase QR-code tickets.[/caption] The service is available in Kannada and English for both iOS…
