The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has issued a strict warning to authorised vendors found charging higher-than-approved prices for NCMC smart cards meant for concession-eligible passengers. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that the licences of such sellers will be cancelled if they continue overcharging passengers. The move follows several complaints received by the corporation regarding inflated rates being collected from commuters entitled to travel concessions. MSRTC has appointed more than 3,000 authorised sellers across Maharashtra, with card distribution facilities available at bus depots and major ST bus stations to ensure easier access for passengers across the state.
MSRTC has officially fixed the price of new NCMC smart cards at Rs 199, while passengers who already possess smart cards will have to pay Rs 149 for the service. Pratap Sarnaik said officials have been instructed to take immediate action against vendors violating the prescribed pricing rules. He confirmed that licences of several sellers have already been cancelled after complaints of overcharging surfaced. The minister further stated that the use of NCMC cards will soon become compulsory for all concession-eligible passengers travelling by ST buses, as part of efforts to modernise ticketing systems and improve transparency in concession distribution.
The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system has been introduced to replace traditional paper-based concession passes with a fully digital and cashless alternative. The card enables automated ticketing and centralised maintenance of passenger concession records, reducing manual processes and improving efficiency. According to Pratap Sarnaik, the initiative aims to make bus travel more convenient while ensuring accurate and transparent delivery of benefits to eligible passengers. MSRTC has also implemented a standard operating procedure for ticket distribution, card recharge facilities, and other transactions related to NCMC cards, making the overall system more organised, passenger-friendly, and technologically advanced.