BIWTA to introduce prepaid cards for ferrying vehicles

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) will introduce experimentally a digital system for vehicles to pay ferry charges for crossing rivers on three routes from Sunday.

Instead of buying tickets, vehicle owners and operators will buy a prepaid card and punch it on a reader before boarding ferries.

Ferry fare will be automatically charged from the prepaid card that is rechargeable like cellphone credit recharging cards, said BIWTC Public Relations Officer Nazrul Islam Misha.

Initially, this new system titled "Digital Rapid Pass" will be introduced at Paturia in Manikganj, Dauladia in Rajbari and Kazirhat at Pabna.

If the system can be operated successfully, it will be introduced at other ferry terminals across the country, he said.

There are around 15 ferry terminals in Bangladesh, said BIWTC officials.