In a major administrative reform, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has made it compulsory for passengers eligible for fare concessions to use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) while travelling on its buses.
The decision, announced on February 11 by Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik, is aimed at modernising ticketing and ensuring that government subsidies reach genuine beneficiaries through a transparent digital system.
For years, concessional travel in state transport (ST) buses was managed through physical passes, ID cards and manual verification by conductors. Officials said this system often led to delays, errors and difficulties in record-keeping. With the NCMC system, eligibility details will now be verified digitally, reducing paperwork and limiting misuse.
Passengers such as students, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, accredited journalists and other approved beneficiaries will need to obtain the mobility card to continue availing fare concessions, said MSRTC officials. The NCMC card will be valid across all “Lalpari” bus routes that offer concessional fares.
The contactless smart card can be tapped on electronic ticketing machines, enabling faster ticket issuance and reducing cash transactions. Authorities believe this will speed up boarding and move towards a unified, cashless public transport system in the future.
MSRTC incurs significant expenditure annually on concessional travel. By linking benefits to a digital platform introduced in 2019, the corporation will be able to maintain accurate travel data, calculate subsidy reimbursements properly and improve financial planning. The move is also expected to help track usage patterns and ensure public funds are utilised efficiently.
To support implementation, MSRTC has partnered with M. Ebix Technologies Ltd. and NSDL Payments Bank. Assistance will also be provided to elderly passengers and those unfamiliar with digital systems to ensure a smooth transition.
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