The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has announced that from August 1, women and senior citizens will need to possess National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) to avail fare concessions. This move aims to streamline the process and ensure that only eligible passengers benefit from the reduced fares.
Concession Details
Under the current policy, women passengers and citizens aged between 65 and 75 years are entitled to a 50 per cent concession on MSRTC bus fares. Those aged above 75 years are eligible for free travel. The new mandatory card system will be implemented to verify the identity and age of passengers claiming these benefits.
Implementation Timeline
The MSRTC has set a deadline of August 1 for all eligible passengers to obtain their mobility cards. After this date, passengers without the card will not be able to avail the concessions and will have to pay the full fare. The corporation has urged women and senior citizens to apply for the cards well in advance to avoid any inconvenience.
The National Common Mobility Card is a unified payment system that can be used for various modes of transport across the country. It allows for seamless travel and easy verification of passenger details. MSRTC has partnered with banks and other agencies to facilitate the issuance of these cards.
Senior citizens and women can apply for the card at designated MSRTC bus stands and online portals. The application process requires submission of identity and age proof documents. Once issued, the card will be valid for a specified period and can be recharged as needed.
This initiative is part of the government's broader effort to digitize public transport and ensure that subsidies reach the intended beneficiaries. The MSRTC has also announced that it will conduct awareness campaigns to educate passengers about the new requirement.
