Frequently Asked Questions

What does MRT Buddy do?

MRT Buddy is designed to help you manage your transit experience by scanning your Dhaka MRT Pass or RapidPass. The app is fully compatible with both card types and displays your current card balance and shows you your last 10 transactions, making it easy to track your transit usage.

How does the app handle my data? Is it secure?

Your privacy is our top priority. MRT Buddy operates completely offline and only extracts data directly from your card to display it to you. The last 20 trip details are stored directly on your card itself - your card is like a small computer that is powered by the NFC reader. The app simply reads this data when you scan your card. No servers are involved, and no data is stored elsewhere. You own your data, which stays securely in your wallet on your card.

The app can only read your card data when you physically have the card in your possession - just like checking your balance at an MRT station kiosk.

Is the app available on the official app stores?

Yes! We finally got the approval from Google. You can now download MRT Buddy from the PlayStore and the AppStore.

Does the app have API access to the Dhaka MRT System?

No, we don't have or need direct API access to the Dhaka MRT System. The Bangladeshi MRT Card uses sophisticated Japanese transit system technology, specifically Sony FeliCa cards. These cards are designed to store your last 10 transactions directly on the card itself. We calculate your balance by reading this stored transaction data from your card.

Is the app secure? Can it modify my card balance?

The app is completely secure and cannot modify your card balance. The MRT cards use advanced FeliCa chip technology with military-grade security features. The system implements strict security measures that make tampering mathematically impossible:

• The card uses cryptographic signatures that require secret keys held exclusively by DMTCL (Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited)
• Even if someone could write data to the card, the cryptographic signatures would not match, making the card invalid
• Personal information like cardholder details are stored only on DMTCL's secure servers, not on the card itself
• The app can only read basic transaction data - it cannot access any personal information or modify any card data

While the app stores your transaction history locally on your device to enhance your experience, we recommend securing your device to prevent unauthorized access to this data.

Can I use my phone's NFC to imitate the MRT card?

Unfortunately no. This feature would need to be implemented by the Metro Rail Authority themselves, or by a company licensed by them. Third-party apps cannot implement this functionality due to the security measures in place.

Can I use my phone for check-in and check-out?

Unfortunately, check-in and check-out functionality using phones can only be implemented with direct cooperation from the Metro Rail authorities. This requires special integration with their systems and security protocols that are not available to third-party applications.

Can I top up my card balance through the app?

No, card top-ups can only be done at official MRT stations or authorized points. This is because:

• Writing to the card requires special encryption keys held only by DMTCL
• The card's secure blocks are encrypted and do not allow unauthorized modifications
• E-wallet or digital payment integration would require official authorization from Metro authorities

Does the app work on phones without NFC?

No, NFC (Near Field Communication) is required to communicate with your Metro card. Without NFC hardware in your phone, the app cannot read the card data. This is a hardware limitation that cannot be worked around with software.