Get the ATVM card if you are a frequent traveller on Hyderabad MMTS

The local trains in Hyderabad, also referred as MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System), are one of the best modes of transport within the city. There are often long queues for the tickets. I noticed that though the Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) are present at almost all local stations  (introduced in February, 2010), they  are not patronized due to lack of awareness and inadequate advertising.

ATVM Smart Cards can be used to purchase Platform Tickets, first & second class tickets for MMTS trains and unreserved Tickets for express / ordinary trains for travel from the station of issue to any station in the South Central Railway zone.

The cost of the ATVM Smart Card keeps changing once in a while (I bought mine for Rs 100). The cost includes a refundable security deposit & ticket value. Smart Cards can be topped up to a maximum of Rs.1000, in multiples of Rs 50. It is valid for one year.

Ironically, these cards are sold at the same booking counters at MMTS stations where they sell unreserved/local train tickets and have long queues. So pick an off-peak time when the queue is shorter to avoid being stared at angrily by impatient people in the queue. The process of getting the ATVM Smart Card for me took the booking clerk about 2 minutes.

For more details, click on the images below -

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I concur with Praveen who has commented below that the requirement to recharge the card once every 6 months to avoid deactivation of the card, is very frustrating.  

Related:

Hyderabad MMTS local train timings