Over 1 crore register for ST’s NCMC card

The corporation has announced that the card will become mandatory for women, senior citizens and Amrit senior citizens from September 1

More than 1 crore passengers of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) have registered for the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) smart card, with over 64.91 lakh cards activated as of August 12, as the state transport undertaking moves towards a more digital and cashless ticketing system.

The MSRTC has specifically advised students not to register for the NCMC card through any unauthorised location or agency. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

According to the MSRTC, a total of 1,01,73,838 passengers had registered for the NCMC smart card by August 12, while 64,91,065 cards had been activated. The corporation is currently distributing the cards in the first phase to women, senior citizens and Amrit senior citizens.

The corporation has announced that the card will become mandatory for women, senior citizens and Amrit senior citizens from September 1. Eligible passengers who have not yet registered have been urged to complete the registration process at the earliest.

The corporation will also begin the registration process for school students from August 15 across Maharashtra. Authorised representatives of the ST will visit schools to complete the registration process for students. The MSRTC has specifically advised students not to register for the NCMC card through any unauthorised location or agency.

The smart cards will be available through authorised ST depots, bus stations and the authorised agent network. Passengers will also be able to recharge their cards through these authorised channels, providing them with a single network for obtaining and recharging the cards.

Transport Minister and MSRTC chairman Pratap Sarnaik said, “We are working to make travel on the ‘Lalpari’ more modern, digital and convenient. The response to the NCMC smart card reflects passengers’ trust in this digital transformation. Our aim is to increasingly use technology in ST services to save passengers’ time and make their journey more convenient.”

Sarnaik added that the corporation would give ST services a wider digital transformation with a ‘passenger first’ approach.