MSRTC Implements National Common Mobility Card for Modernized Bus Travel
The iconic red buses of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation have served as an essential transportation backbone for millions of commuters, students, and senior citizens across the state. For decades, boarding these buses typically involved the familiar rush for exact change and paper passes. This traditional system is now undergoing a significant transformation with the introduction of the National Common Mobility Card.
Technological Upgrade and Trust-Building Reform
MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced the rollout on Wednesday, describing the NCMC initiative as both a technological advancement and a trust-building reform for the corporation. The new system promises to revolutionize the passenger experience by integrating cashless ticketing, accurate concession records, and transparent reimbursement mechanisms under a single digital platform.
"The NCMC will bring cashless ticketing, accurate concession records and transparent reimbursement under one system," Sarnaik informed media representatives during the announcement.
Mandatory Smart Cards for Subsidized Travel Benefits
For passengers who rely on subsidized travel options, this change represents a particularly important development. The smart card will become mandatory for availing various social concessions, ensuring that benefits are digitally logged and processed with significantly fewer disputes and administrative delays.
Registration campaigns are scheduled to begin shortly across MSRTC depots throughout Maharashtra. The registration process has been specifically designed to be completed at bus stations themselves, which will greatly ease access for rural passengers who often travel considerable distances for documentation purposes.
Card Distribution Linked to Official Identifiers
The NCMC implementation features a structured approach to card distribution based on passenger categories:
- Students will receive cards connected to their Saral identification numbers
- Senior citizens and women passengers will be issued Aadhaar-linked cards
- Divyang passengers will obtain cards mapped to their Unique Disability ID numbers
- Freedom fighters, accredited journalists, and state-level awardees will be served through headquarters depots at divisional offices
Pricing Structure and Recharge Options
The new NCMC card will be priced at Rs 199, inclusive of GST. Passengers submitting an old smart card will benefit from a reduced price of Rs 149. Each card wallet will require a minimum balance of Rs 100, with subsequent recharges available in multiples of Rs 50.
Multiple recharge options have been established to ensure passenger convenience:
- ETIM machines at bus stations
- Authorized websites and mobile applications
- Appointed agents throughout the state
To specifically support senior citizens and women passengers, MSRTC has appointed over 3,000 authorized agents across Maharashtra to facilitate the transition to the new cashless system.
This comprehensive digital transformation represents MSRTC's commitment to modernizing public transportation while maintaining accessibility for all passenger segments across urban and rural Maharashtra.
