The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has relaxed the mandatory use of NCMC smart cards for women passengers claiming travel concessions on its buses until 31 December 2026, a move intended to prevent disruption during the festive travel season and ease access to subsidised public transport.
The decision was communicated by Amol Kotkar, chief of the corporation’s Parner depot in Ahmednagar district, according to Sakal – Pune. The relaxation means women passengers will continue to be able to access the concession without facing an immediate smart-card requirement, although the report does not specify the alternative process to be followed at every depot.
The issue is significant because the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation remains a major transport link for people travelling between rural settlements, towns and larger urban centres. The service is used by women working on daily wages, salaried employees, students and other passengers who depend on affordable bus travel for employment, education and essential services.
The NCMC smart card is part of the corporation’s move towards digital ticketing and concession administration. However, the implementation of any digital access system depends on passengers being able to obtain, activate and use the required cards without disrupting their existing travel. Extending the deadline gives the corporation more time to continue the transition while allowing women passengers to claim concessions during the interim period.
Kotkar said the decision would help ensure that women receive the benefit of the concession without obstacles during their journeys. He also said that maintaining coordination between ST services and women’s travel concessions would strengthen passengers’ confidence in public transport and help preserve continuity during the digital transition.
The relaxation is particularly relevant during the festive period, when demand for intercity and regional bus services can rise and passengers may have limited time to complete new administrative or digital procedures. For rural passengers, where alternatives to state-run bus services may be limited or more expensive, an interruption in concession access can directly affect the cost of commuting.
The report presents the relaxation as a temporary measure rather than a withdrawal of the smart-card system. The mandatory requirement has been eased until 31 December 2026, while the corporation’s broader move towards NCMC-based services remains in place. The next operational milestone is therefore the end of the extended relaxation period, when the corporation’s smart-card requirement is scheduled to be reviewed or enforced according to its subsequent instructions.
