Nagpur: Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Aapli Bus service recorded its highest-ever single-day ridership on Tuesday, carrying 2,12,663 passengers, with nearly four in every 10 commuters opting for digital ticketing, underlining the city’s shift towards cashless public transport.According to NMC’s data, 80,058 passengers bought tickets through digital payment platforms, accounting for nearly 38% of the day’s ridership. Officials said higher adoption of digital ticketing is reducing boarding time, improving fare collection and making operations more efficient.The Pardi-Hingna Gramin Hospital route recorded the highest ridership on Tuesday. Other busy routes included Sitabuldi Bus Terminal-Prakash Nagar (Khaperkheda), Aapli Bus Terminal-Takalghat, Aapli Bus Terminal-Tekadi Bus Stop and Pipla Fata-Friends Colony, indicating strong demand on both urban and peri-urban corridors.Among the busiest boarding and interchange points were Panchsheel Square, Maharaj Bagh, Butibori MIDC Gate, Chhatrapati Square, NIT/LIC Square and Sitabuldi Bus Terminal.The civic body has been encouraging commuters to switch to digital payments as part of its smart mobility initiative. Officials said wider adoption of cashless ticketing will further improve service efficiency and enhance the commuting experience.Aapli Bus currently operates a fleet of 730 buses on 124 main routes and 230 sub-routes, connecting the city with suburban and industrial areas. The network caters to office-goers, students, industrial workers and other daily commuters.Officials attributed the sustained rise in ridership to the expanding route network, better service frequency and commuters’ growing preference for affordable public transport. They said increasing digital ticketing will support the city’s push for a faster, more efficient and cashless urban mobility system while reducing dependence on paper tickets and cash transactions.
