Now, Metro users can book tickets through apps

In a first-of-its-kind move for Metro system in India, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), allowing passengers to book Metro tickets directly through more than 10 widely-used digital platforms. The integration aims to make Metro travel more accessible and convenient for Delhi’s over 6.5 million daily riders.

Commuters can now purchase tickets through apps such as Google Maps, Redbus, EaseMyTrip, Rapido, Chartr, Tummoc, OneTicket, NammaYatri, Yatri Railways, Highway Delite and a Telegram chatbot developed by Miles & Kilometres. The feature, soft-launched in November 2024, is now fully operational for public use.

This integration eliminates the need for a dedicated Metro app or physical ticket counters. Instead, users can plan and pay for their entire journey, including Metro travel, within apps they already use for commuting and trip planning.

“This partnership with the ONDC is part of our effort to simplify Metro travel and bring it into the digital spaces people already use every day,” said Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, DMRC. “By offering ticketing through multiple familiar apps, we are removing the friction that often comes with transit access,” said Vikas.

The integration has been enabled through a single-point connection with the ONDC network, facilitated by technology service provider SequelString AI (SAI). It allows for seamless, multi-modal journey planning such as booking a long-distance bus ride and Metro trip within the same app, or combining bike taxi and Metro segments in one transaction.

Vibhor Jain, acting CEO and COO of ONDC, called the development a step toward democratising access to public services. “By connecting once to the ONDC network, the DMRC can now offer ticketing across a range of everyday apps without building separate integrations for each one,” he said.