Ludhiana, Feb. 27 -- Outdated and malfunctioning electronic ticket machines have turned the simple ticketing process into a daily hassle for conductors of the "cash-strapped" Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC).

Conductors said these faulty machines frequently freeze, preventing them from issuing digital tickets. As a result, they are forced to rely on manual paper-based ticketing, which is particularly difficult given that each bus carries over 100 passengers daily.

The mandatory Aadhaar verification for women availing free travel has further complicated the situation. Previously, conductors had to enter only the last four digits of a passenger's Aadhaar number. In December 2024, authorities made it mandatory to...