Metro Card Online Recharge Starts November 25

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Metro Rail users will no longer need to visit stations to recharge their permanent cards. From November 25, passengers can top up their passes from home. They can use bank credit cards, bKash, Nagad, Rocket, and other online banking methods.

Sheikh Moinuddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, will inaugurate the service. Initially, recharge is done via a link on the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) website. Next month, a mobile app will launch for direct recharging. DTCA sources confirmed these details.

How the New System Works
This system ends the need to stand in long queues at stations or bank booths. However, single-journey cards are not included; they must still be bought at stations.

DTCA Executive Director Nilima Akhter spoke to Prothom Alo. She said the new system saves passengers time and reduces hassle. Authorities introduced this system after passengers demanded it. People already pay bills (electricity, internet) from home using apps like bKash.

Currently, two permanent cards are used: RapID and MRT Pass. Both can be recharged online at any time.

Crucial Final Step
After recharging online, commuters must tap their card at the station. This tap must be done on a special device: an Add Value Machine (AVM). This step is necessary to update the balance. The new balance will then be valid until it is exhausted.

The DMTCL issues the MRT Pass. The DTCA supplies the RapID Pass, which also works on buses and trains. DTCA has outsourced the online top-up system to a private company named DataSoft.

Users must register and log in on the DTCA website or app. They select their card type and choose a payment method. They must deposit the amount. The recharge takes effect only after the card is tapped at an AVM.

Important Policy Details
Customers must pay an additional fee for using the payment gateway.

The recharge amount stays pending until the card is tapped at an AVM.

Pending recharges are valid for three months.

If the card is not tapped, the amount is returned to the user, but a 10% service charge is deducted.

A 10% fee also applies if a passenger requests a refund within seven days.

DTCA started installing the AVMs last Monday. Two machines will be installed in spacious areas of each station. A total of 32 AVM machines will be installed across the 16 stations from Uttara to Motijheel by November 22