B Mirror Report : Rapid Pass and MRT Pass cards used for metro rail and other public transport services can now be recharged online through a dedicated mobile application.
Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Sheik Moinuddin, formally launched the app-based service at the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) conference room in Tejgaon.
Speaking at the launch event, officials said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to digitise and modernise the country’s public transport network. The introduction of the mobile app is expected to further promote the use of smart cards in metro rail and other public transport systems in the coming days.
With the new service, passengers can securely recharge their Rapid Pass and MRT Pass without visiting physical counters. The app also enables users to check their recharge history and card usage, view balances instantly using Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled smartphones, and make payments through multiple digital channels, including bKash, Rocket, Visa, AMEX, and MasterCard.
During the event, officials explained the app’s operating process. To access the online recharge facility, users must download the application from the Google Play Store and complete a one-time registration. Those already registered on the Rapid Pass website can log in using their existing credentials. Linked cards will appear automatically after login, and users may add new Rapid Pass or MRT Pass cards if required.
Authorities said users can recharge a minimum of Tk 100 and a maximum of Tk 5,000 at a time. However, the recharged balance will remain inactive until the card is tapped on an add-value machine at metro rail stations. A confirmation message will be sent to the registered mobile number once the recharge is completed.
Only one pending online recharge can be maintained per card at any given time, and blacklisted or illegal cards will not be eligible for recharging. Users may apply to cancel a pending recharge within seven days before activating it, though a service charge of five percent will be deducted.
Officials noted that the newly launched app will allow passengers to recharge their cards anytime and from anywhere, significantly enhancing service convenience. The initiative is expected to improve passenger experience and expand the use of Rapid Pass across buses, metro rail, and other public transport services in the future.
Earlier, online recharge services were introduced through the Rapid Pass website at Agargaon Metro Station on November 25 last year. At that time, authorities had also announced plans to launch a mobile application. Following that announcement, the Android-based Rapid Pass app became available on the Google Play Store from January 1 this year.
The event was chaired by Dr. Md. Mashiur Rahman, Executive Director (in charge) of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).
