10,500 new ETM machines allocated across 125 Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation depots
Gandhinagar, June 22
Realising the vision of 'Digital India' and 'Digital Gujarat', the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation on Monday set new benchmarks in passenger convenience, transparency, and quality transportation services.
Under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, GSRTC has adopted modern technology to make travel more convenient and seamless for passengers.
According to an official statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), as part of this initiative, GSRTC has implemented the ETM QR Code Payment System in its buses. Between April 2025 and May 2026, more than 1.03 Crore QR code transactions were recorded through the system, generating revenue of over Rs 112.45 crore for the Corporation.
The ETM QR Code System has been introduced to provide passengers across the State with a seamless cashless travel experience.
The initiative has witnessed a significant rise in adoption, with QR code transactions increasing from around 4.60 lakh in April 2025 to more than 17.34 lakh in May 2026. Through this facility, GSRTC is generating monthly revenue of approximately Rs 19.37 crore.
GSRTC PRO Shraddha Bhatt stated that the Corporation has allocated 10,500 new E-BTM machines across its 125 depots under 16 divisions. Following the encouraging response to QR code-based ticket booking in premium buses, the facility has now been extended to all GSRTC services and depots across the State.
As per the CMO, the QR code payment system eliminates the inconvenience of carrying or arranging change during travel, making ticket payments faster and more convenient for passengers. The initiative is also expected to further strengthen passenger-centric services across the GSRTC network.
In the digital age, the online advance booking facility has received an encouraging response from passengers, enabling hassle-free ticket reservations and reducing waiting time at bus stations. During the first six months of 2026, GSRTC operated a total of 39,372 premium and non-premium trips through this facility.
Further enhancing passenger convenience, GSRTC has integrated approximately 2,500 local trips covering distances exceeding 100 kilometres into its online reservation platform. This initiative enables passengers, particularly those in rural and remote areas, to book tickets for local bus services in advance from the comfort of their homes. Reduced cash transactions have ensured greater transparency in operations while saving time and effort for conductors.
During May 2026, amid the vacation season, the booking rate for GSRTC's premium AC services reached 78.85 per cent. Volvo bus services recorded booking rates of 50 per cent in April and 57.81 per cent in May, while non-premium sleeper buses remained a preferred choice among passengers, registering an average booking rate of 77.53 per cent during the first six months of 2026.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some digital progress that actually helps the common man! But I hope they don't forget about senior citizens and rural passengers who might not have smartphones. Maybe they can keep a small cash counter option at major depots for them. Otherwise, it's a solid step towards 'Digital India'. 😊
As someone who travels regularly between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, this is a game-changer. The online booking for local trips over 100 km is particularly good - my village relatives can now book their bus from home without coming to the depot. The 78.85% booking rate for premium AC services says it all. Well done, Deputy CM Sanghavi ji! 🚌
Impressive numbers - 1.03 crore QR transactions in a year! But I wonder how many ETM machines are actually working properly? I've seen some reports about maintenance issues. Also, the 10,500 new machines allocation is good, but they should focus on ensuring existing ones don't break down. Progress is good, but consistency matters too.
Chalo, something good is happening in Gujarat's transport sector. The transparency angle is important - reduced cash means less corruption potential. My friend who is a conductor says it's easier now because they don't have to handle so much change. But I hope they train the staff properly on these new machines. Digital literacy for all, not just passengers! 👍
This is what we need across India - practical digital solutions. The 78.85% booking rate for premium AC services shows that
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.