By News Karnataka Editorial Team
Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: Passengers of Namma Metro faced inconvenience on Friday (September 26, 2025) after the popular WhatsApp ticketing service developed technical glitches, forcing many to queue at counters for tickets. The disruption came as a setback to regular commuters who had embraced the feature for its ease of use and time-saving convenience.
Commuters forced back to manual ticketing
The WhatsApp chatbot, launched in November 2022, had quickly become the preferred option for many occasional metro travellers who do not use a daily travel card. It allowed them to purchase QR tickets instantly and avoid long lines at ticket counters.
However, the sudden glitch displayed a pop-up message that read: “This service is currently under maintenance. We’ll be back soon. Thank you for your patience.”
With the chatbot unavailable, passengers had no choice but to return to manual purchases. “I usually travel from Peenya to Infantry Road three days a week. Since I don’t use the Metro every day, WhatsApp ticketing is the most convenient option. But from Friday morning, it stopped working and I had to stand in a long queue to get a ticket,” said Jayadeva Bolar, a commuter who has been relying on the service for over a year.
BMRCL clarifies issue lies with WhatsApp
A senior official from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) clarified that the problem did not arise from their systems. “The issue is not with BMRCL but with WhatsApp. We have been informed it is related to maintenance, and we are hopeful it will be resolved at the earliest,” the official told The Hindu.
This clarification reassured passengers that the glitch was temporary, although no official timeline for resolution has been given yet.
WhatsApp ticketing: A first-of-its-kind initiative
Since its launch in 2022, the WhatsApp chatbot ticketing system has been promoted as a flagship digital initiative of BMRCL. Namma Metro was the first transit system in the world to offer chatbot-based QR ticketing.
The system, accessible via the number 8105556677, provides multiple services to commuters including:
Buying QR tickets
Recharging metro smart cards
Checking fare details
Planning journeys
Viewing train departure timings
The chatbot also offers interaction in both English and Kannada, catering to a wide commuter base.
Multiple digital ticketing options available
To strengthen digital access, BMRCL has integrated ticketing through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Tickets can now be purchased across nine consumer apps, besides the Namma Metro app, Paytm, and WhatsApp.
While these alternatives remain available, many commuters still prefer WhatsApp ticketing due to its simple conversational interface and quick access.
Friday’s disruption highlighted the growing dependence of Bengaluru Metro passengers on digital ticketing solutions. With WhatsApp ticketing proving to be a game-changer since its launch, the glitch has caused temporary inconvenience but also underscored the need for reliable backups in smart mobility systems. BMRCL has assured commuters that the service will be restored soon, keeping alive the promise of hassle-free digital transit.
