A new mobile app, MRT Buddy, has been launched to help commuters in Dhaka manage their transit cards more efficiently.
The app, which operates using NFC technology, allows users to check the balances of both MRT Pass and Rapid Pass cards, reports The Daily Star.
Additionally, it displays the last 10 transactions, helping users keep track of their travel expenses.
One of the app's key features is that it operates entirely offline. All data is processed locally on the user's device, meaning it does not require an internet connection and ensures that no user data is shared externally.
According to the app's website, MRT Buddy does not directly interface with Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) systems. Instead, it reads the data stored on transit cards through the Sony FeliCa technology, which is used by both MRT Pass and Rapid Pass cards.
MRT Buddy is developed by a team of Bangladeshi software developers . The app is not officially endorsed by DMTCL. The app can only read card data and cannot alter balances, as security measures prevent write access to DMTCL’s systems.
Currently, MRT Buddy is available for download on the Apple App Store for iOS devices. A version for Android users is in the process of being approved and will soon being available on Google Play Store.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
