PUNE: The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is set to start a non-contact fare payment system within three months. The introduction of the new system would mean cancellation and replacement of the mobile integration (MI) cards launched in 2017, PMPML chairman and managing director Pajendra Jagtap said. “We have tied up with Ibix cash to introduce a system of cashless payment of fares as an option for our commuters. We will be able to float the system in three months. The MI cards will be replaced by new cards,” he said. When the MI cards were introduced, the PMPML authorities had called them a game changer. They had said these cards could be used for payment of fares and would be integrated with other modes of public transportation in the city, especially Metro. “The MI cards didn’t become popular among the commuters. Moreover, these cards are a close-loop type, which means they can only be used to avail the PMPML services. The new cards will be based on an open loop system and can be used to pay fares for PMPML and Pune Metro services,” the CMD said. “Ibix has already provided the special ticketing machines to us and the conductors are being trained to use them. The whole non-cash payment plan will be launched in phases,” Jagtap said. APMPML official said they were still deliberating what to do with the balance remaining unused on the MI cards once the cards were discontinued. Commuters and activists were confused by the PMPML’s plans. “Why were the MI cards introduced in the first place and why was it said that they would be used for all forms of payment? Isn’t this a waste of money? If the cards were not popular among commuters, the PMPML should have put in efforts rather than deciding to scrap them and issue new cards,” activist Sanjay Shitole said.