Metrorail Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cardholders will no longer need to go to stations to recharge their metro rail cards. Starting Tuesday, metro rail cards can be recharged from any location using credit cards, bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and other online banking services.
The online recharge facility for metro rail’s permanent cards was inaugurated at Agargaon Metro Station in Dhaka at noon. Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser (Road Transport, Bridge and Rail Ministry), was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.
Road Transport and Highways Division Additional Secretary Nikhil Kumar Das was the special guest. The event was chaired by Neelima Akter, executive director of Dhaka Transport Co-ordination Authority (DTCA).
While speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Sheikh Moinuddin said, “This initiative will be considered a significant advancement in the digital transformation of public transport in Bangladesh.
“Through the facility, Rapid Pass and MRT Pass users will be able to recharge their cards safely and quickly from any place, at any time, for their travel convenience,” he added.
Nikhil Kumar Das highlighted the crucial role of digital technology in enhancing public transport efficiency, ensuring good governance, and improving passenger service quality.
He said, “With the launch of the online recharge service, passengers will benefit from a faster, safer, and more transparent system. We are continuously working to integrate public transport services onto digital platforms in the future.”
Nilima Akter said, “This long-awaited service will save passengers’ time. It will promote cashless and digital payment systems. The modernisation of the public transport system will be further strengthened. Through digital technology, passengers will experience a smart and hassle-free journey.”
Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) Chairman Abdul Latif Mollah, Bangladesh Bank Director Sarafat Ullah Khan, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Director (Admin) AKM Khairul Alam, and SSL Managing Director Saiful Islam were present at the event.
At the programme, it was informed that a total of 32 Add Value Machines (AVMs) have been installed, two at each of the 16 Dhaka metro rail stations. After tapping the Rapid Pass or MRT Pass card on these machines, the online recharge will be completed. This number will be increased further in the future.
The metro rail app for online recharge facilities will be launched next month.
How to recharge metro rail card online
To perform an online recharge for the first time, registration on the website or app is required. For online recharge, if the Rapid Pass card is not already registered, it must be registered first. The card can then be recharged online using any one payment method.
After recharging online, the transaction will be shown as “pending” until the card is tapped on an AVM. Following the online recharge, the card must be tapped on an AVM machine to confirm that the recharged balance has been successfully added.
Upon a successful recharge, an SMS will be sent to the registered mobile number. A minimum of Tk100 and a maximum of Tk5,000 can be recharged onto a card at one time.
Furthermore, only one pending online recharge can be active at a time; a new online recharge cannot be initiated until the previous one is completed. If a card is blacklisted, refunded, or invalid, it cannot be recharged.
Users can view their recharge history through the application or web portal. If desired, a user can request to cancel a recharge within seven days before tapping the card on an AVM; a 5 percent service charge will be deducted for the cancellation.
Customers can also request a refund for pending transactions due to card blacklisting-related reasons, in which case a 5 percent service charge will also be deducted.
