Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has officially adopted the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system. This is a significant shift towards digital and cashless ticketing across its extensive bus network, often referred to as “Lalpari.”
Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about using an NCMC card with MSRTC:
Is NCMC Mandatory for MSRTC?
Yes, for certain passengers. MSRTC has made the NCMC card compulsory for all passengers eligible for social concessions. If you want to avail discounted or free travel under any MSRTC scheme, you must use an NCMC card.
Who Needs to Obtain the MSRTC NCMC Card?
Passengers belonging to the following categories must get the card to continue receiving fare concessions:
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Students: School and technical education students.
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Senior Citizens:
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General Senior Citizens (typically 65-75 years for 50% discount).
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Amrut Senior Citizens (above 75 years for free travel).
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Women: Eligible for a 50% discount under the Mahila Samman Scheme.
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Persons with Disabilities (Divyang): Socially disadvantaged groups eligible for discounts.
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Others: Freedom Fighters and their companion, Accredited Journalists, and State-level Awardees.
Important Note: If you do not have the NCMC card, you will have to pay the full adult fare, even if you are eligible for a concession based on other identity proofs like an Aadhaar card.
How and Where to Apply for the MSRTC NCMC Card?
While general NCMC cards can be obtained from banks online, the specific MSRTC-branded NCMC cards meant for concessions are primarily issued through offline channels to facilitate verification of eligibility documents.
1. Where to Apply:
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Bus Depots and Stations: MSRTC is organizing statewide registration drives at all its bus depots and major bus stands. Kiosks and dedicated counters are being set up.
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Authorized Agents: MSRTC has appointed over 3,000 authorized agents across the state to assist passengers, especially senior citizens and those in rural areas, with the application and registration process.
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Divisional Headquarters/Offices: Specific categories like freedom fighters, accredited journalists, and state awardees may need to collect their cards from MSRTC divisional offices.
2. Application Process (General Steps):
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Visit a Counter: Go to the nearest MSRTC depot counter or an authorized agent.
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Verification: Provide details and documents required to prove your eligibility for a specific concession category. The card issuance system will link your card to official identifier numbers for digital verification:
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Students: Linked to ‘Saral’ number.
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Senior Citizens & Women: Linked to Aadhaar number.
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Persons with Disabilities: Linked to UDID number.
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Payment: Pay the card issuance fee and initial load amount.
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Card Issuance: The card will be processed and either issued on the spot or sent to your registered address via post.
Cost and Wallet Details
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New Card Fee: ₹199 (inclusive of GST).
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Replacement/Upgrade: If you have an old MSRTC smart card, you can surrender it and get the new NCMC card at a reduced price of ₹149.
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Minimum Balance: A minimum wallet balance of ₹100 is required at the time of issuance or to keep the card active for travel.
How to Recharge (Top-up) the Card
You can load money onto your MSRTC NCMC card through various methods:
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In-Bus: Recharges can be done directly through the conductor’s ETIM (Electronic Ticketing Machine) inside the bus in multiples of ₹50.
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Depot Counters: At any MSRTC bus depot or station counter.
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Online: Through the official MSRTC website or dedicated mobile application (once fully functional).
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Authorized Agents: Through the network of appointed agents.
Benefits of Using NCMC in MSRTC
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Cashless Travel: Eliminates the need to carry exact change for tickets.
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Accurate Concessions: Digital verification ensures that only genuine beneficiaries get the discounts, reducing misuse and errors.
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Faster Ticketing: Contactless tap-and-go payment on ETIMs speeds up the boarding process.
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Interoperability: This is a “One Nation One Card.” The same card can be used for travel in metros (like Mumbai Metro, Pune Metro, Delhi Metro), other city bus services (like BEST in Mumbai), tolls, parking, and small retail purchases across India where NCMC is accepted.
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Transparency: Creates a digital record of transactions for both passengers and the corporation, making the system more transparent and efficient for subsidy reimbursements.
Key Takeaway
If you regularly travel by MSRTC buses and are eligible for any form of fare concession, it is crucial to visit your nearest bus depot as soon as possible to apply for the new NCMC card. The reliance on physical ID cards or Aadhaar cards for showing to conductors to get discounts is being phased out in favor of this digital smart card system.