06 May,2026 11:27 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has warned authorised vendors against overcharging passengers for National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) smart cards, stating that strict action, including cancellation of licences, will be taken against violators.
Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik said complaints had been received regarding some vendors allegedly charging concession passengers more than the prescribed rates for the cards. He said the corporation has already cancelled the licences of certain vendors found violating the rules.
The NCMC cards are being introduced by the MSRTC as part of its efforts to digitise and streamline the concession travel system for passengers across Maharashtra.
According to the corporation, the cost of a new NCMC smart card has been fixed at Rs 199 for passengers applying for a fresh card. Passengers who already possess a smart card will have to pay Rs 149.
To facilitate the distribution process, the MSRTC has appointed more than 3,000 authorised vendors across the state. The cards are also being made available at all bus depots and major bus stations.
Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring wider accessibility for concession passengers and reducing inconvenience during registration and card issuance.
The transport corporation has decided to implement the NCMC card system to make concession travel more transparent and digitally managed. The initiative is currently being rolled out for women passengers, senior citizens, and beneficiaries under the Amrit senior citizen category.
The MSRTC said additional categories of concession passengers will be included in phases over the coming months.
Under the new system, concession passengers will eventually be required to use NCMC cards while travelling on state transport buses. Officials believe the digital mechanism will help improve accuracy in granting travel concessions and minimise irregularities in the process.
The corporation has also finalised a standard operating procedure (SOP) for ticket distribution, card top-ups, and related transactions through the NCMC system.
All depot managers have been directed to strictly implement the SOP and ensure that passengers do not face operational difficulties during the transition phase.
Sarnaik said the introduction of the NCMC system is part of broader efforts to modernise MSRTC services and improve transparency and efficiency in passenger operations.
