MSRTC passengers using National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) can now top up their cards through the BHIM app, removing the need to visit a service centre when the card balance runs out. The facility is expected to make digital fare access more convenient, particularly for senior citizens and women passengers receiving concessions.
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has started the registration and distribution process for NCMC cards issued under its Amrit senior-citizen, senior-citizen and women-concession categories. The new BHIM-based top-up facility has been introduced to make the card service faster and easier for passengers.
To use the facility, cardholders must scan the QR code printed on the back of their NCMC card through the BHIM app. After the QR code is scanned, passengers can follow the available in-app process to add the required amount to the card.
The facility allows passengers to deposit money into their NCMC cards as needed without travelling to a counter or card service centre for every recharge. For passengers who depend on state transport services and may have limited access to digital or physical service points, the change shifts an important part of the card-recharge process to the mobile phone.
The NCMC card initiative is part of the corporation’s effort to expand digital passenger services. The cards are being registered and distributed to eligible passenger groups, including senior citizens and women concession beneficiaries. The BHIM integration adds a digital payment route to the existing card-service process.
The change also addresses a practical operational issue in using prepaid or stored-value travel cards: a passenger may be unable to use the card once its balance is exhausted unless a recharge point is available. With QR-based top-up, the corporation says passengers can recharge the card through the app instead of visiting a centre.
The facility is particularly relevant to senior citizens and women passengers who use concession-linked NCMC cards. The corporation has described the initiative as part of its objective of making passenger services more accessible and faster through digital facilities.
Passengers using the service will need an NCMC card with the QR code available on its reverse side and access to the BHIM app. The top-up process will be completed through the steps shown after scanning the code. The corporation’s ongoing registration and distribution of NCMC cards will determine the number of eligible users who can access the facility.
