Kochi: A prepaid card launched for convenient ride on the Kochi Metro can now be used in the city bus services as well. Initially, the facility is available only on 50 buses, but it will cover 1,000 buses in a couple of months.

The Kochi1 Card was launched by the Kerala Metro Rail Limited in association with the Axis Bank earlier. A discount of 5 per cent on bus fare is available.

For metro train riders, the card offers a 20 per cent discount.

Bus passengers need to tell the conductor about their destination and number of passengers. The conductor will use a handheld scanner to read the card and the amount deducted will be paid to the account of the respective bus owners associations who are members of the scheme. The member owners can then divide the amount among themselves.

Though the prepaid card facility for travel on city buses was unveiled two months ago, it came into effect only on March 1.

The inauguration of the facility for bus service was held at the Taj Hotel the other day.

The Kochi1 Card also offers 15 per cent discount in select city restaurants. Free entry to the lounge of the Cochin International Airport Limited is available eight times per year.