The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced that women and senior citizens availing concessionary bus fares will be required to use the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) from August 1. The move is part of a broader initiative to digitize ticketing, improve transparency in subsidy distribution, and enable cashless transactions across the state’s extensive public transport network. Eligible passengers who do not possess the card may no longer be able to claim discounted fares under various government-supported travel schemes.
Under the new system, the NCMC card will function as both an identification tool and a prepaid travel wallet. The card is priced at ₹199, while existing smart card holders may be eligible for a reduced replacement cost. Users must maintain a minimum balance to access concession benefits. MSRTC officials say the initiative will help ensure accurate recording of subsidies and reduce misuse of concession schemes. Registration drives and support services have been rolled out across bus depots to assist women, senior citizens, students, and other eligible beneficiaries in obtaining the card before the deadline.
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