The transport department has made arrangements for online recharge of smart cards for government buses, ferries and trams in keeping with the new normal amid the Covid-19 pandemic, an official said.

One can now recharge a card by visiting www.onlinerecharge.wbtc.co.in. Till now, a passenger had to visit a point of sale run by the West Bengal Transport Corporation to recharge a card.

The portal will ask for the mobile number or card number and then offer options for the amount to be recharged. The amount can vary between Rs 100 and Rs 1,500 but has to be in multiple of 100.

The payment can be made through credit card, debit card or Net banking. As an incentive of sorts, an additional 10 per cent of the paid amount will be added to the account.

A recharged card will have to be updated at a sales counter or with the help of a ticketing machine available with conductors.

“The measure for online recharge of smart cards has been taken to reduce exposure, as a precaution against Covid-19. We are also planning to tie up with online delivery sites so cards can be delivered at doorsteps,” said an official of the transport department.

“We expect a rise in the number of commuters not only on buses but in the two other modes. The card can be used on all three modes of transportation,” said Rajanvir Singh Kapur, the managing director of the West Bengal Transport Corporation.

“We are in the process wherein one can buy the card online and even recharge online.”

Some of the places where smart cards are available are Garia No 6 bus depot, Howrah bus terminus, Jadavpur 8b bus stand, Thakurpukur 3A bus stand, Dum Dum 11A bus stand, Karunamoyee bus stand, Howrah jetty, Millennium Park jetty and Farlie Place jetty.