Dhaka's metro rail and public transport passengers can now recharge their MRT Pass and Rapid Pass cards remotely, following the launch of an online top-up system this morning (November 25) at Agargaon Metro Station.
The new system, inaugurated by Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser for the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, aims to significantly reduce queues and streamline travel. Moinuddin highlighted the need for Bangladesh to embrace digital transport services and move toward a single, unified card for metro, public transport, and potentially toll payments.
Registration: Users must first register on the designated website or app (www.rapidpass.com.bd). Transaction Limits: Recharges must be between a minimum of Tk100 and a maximum of Tk5,000 per transaction, with a 0.83% service fee applied.
Activation: The balance must be activated by tapping the card on one of the 32 Add Value Machines (AVMs) installed across 16 metro stations. The transaction remains "pending" until this tap is completed.
Cancellation/Refunds: Recharges can be cancelled within seven days (before tapping the card), or refunded if the card is blacklisted before usage, both subject to a 5% deduction.
Blacklisted Cards: If an MRT Pass is blacklisted (often due to missing an exit tap), it becomes unusable until new passes are issued and repair services are available.
The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) noted that 55% of metro passengers already use these permanent cards and acknowledged that the current number of AVMs is insufficient, though training and expansion are underway.
