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Mandatory NCMC card rule for ST buses deferred; concession via old method allowed until
September 30; relief for passengers:Mumbai / Maharashtra – The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has finally extended the deadline for the NCMC card scheme, which was made mandatory for senior citizens and women passengers starting September 1, 2026. This mandatory requirement has now been deferred until September 30, 2026, bringing significant relief to passengers.
Concessionary tickets were being issued via NCMC cards to women and senior citizens aged 65 to 75 who avail of government concessions. However, the simultaneous use of the system by a large number of passengers placed immense strain on the server. This resulted in technical glitches during ticket issuance and caused inconvenience to passengers, leading to frequent complaints reaching the ST Corporation.
Against this backdrop, the Corporation has issued a revised circular instructing all depots to continue issuing concessionary tickets using the previously established method until September 30. However, it has been clarified that passengers who already possess an active NCMC card should continue to avail of the concession using the card. Arrangements have also been made to issue tickets via the old method in cases where the card fails to read or technical issues arise. Orders have been issued to ensure that no eligible passenger is deprived of the concession.
MSRTC has also launched a dedicated helpline to address passenger grievances. Passengers can contact this helpline—operated through NSDL Payments Bank—at the numbers 022-42022190 and 022-69787303. To date, over 1.11 crore passengers have registered for the NCMC card scheme.
This decision, taken in light of the technical difficulties faced by passengers, provides temporary relief to senior citizens and women travelers.
September 30; relief for passengers:Mumbai / Maharashtra – The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has finally extended the deadline for the NCMC card scheme, which was made mandatory for senior citizens and women passengers starting September 1, 2026. This mandatory requirement has now been deferred until September 30, 2026, bringing significant relief to passengers.
Concessionary tickets were being issued via NCMC cards to women and senior citizens aged 65 to 75 who avail of government concessions. However, the simultaneous use of the system by a large number of passengers placed immense strain on the server. This resulted in technical glitches during ticket issuance and caused inconvenience to passengers, leading to frequent complaints reaching the ST Corporation.
Against this backdrop, the Corporation has issued a revised circular instructing all depots to continue issuing concessionary tickets using the previously established method until September 30. However, it has been clarified that passengers who already possess an active NCMC card should continue to avail of the concession using the card. Arrangements have also been made to issue tickets via the old method in cases where the card fails to read or technical issues arise. Orders have been issued to ensure that no eligible passenger is deprived of the concession.
MSRTC has also launched a dedicated helpline to address passenger grievances. Passengers can contact this helpline—operated through NSDL Payments Bank—at the numbers 022-42022190 and 022-69787303. To date, over 1.11 crore passengers have registered for the NCMC card scheme.
This decision, taken in light of the technical difficulties faced by passengers, provides temporary relief to senior citizens and women travelers.
Concessionary tickets were being issued via NCMC cards to women and senior citizens aged 65 to 75 who avail of government concessions. However, the simultaneous use of the system by a large number of passengers placed immense strain on the server. This resulted in technical glitches during ticket issuance and caused inconvenience to passengers, leading to frequent complaints reaching the ST Corporation.
Against this backdrop, the Corporation has issued a revised circular instructing all depots to continue issuing concessionary tickets using the previously established method until September 30. However, it has been clarified that passengers who already possess an active NCMC card should continue to avail of the concession using the card. Arrangements have also been made to issue tickets via the old method in cases where the card fails to read or technical issues arise. Orders have been issued to ensure that no eligible passenger is deprived of the concession.
MSRTC has also launched a dedicated helpline to address passenger grievances. Passengers can contact this helpline—operated through NSDL Payments Bank—at the numbers 022-42022190 and 022-69787303. To date, over 1.11 crore passengers have registered for the NCMC card scheme.
This decision, taken in light of the technical difficulties faced by passengers, provides temporary relief to senior citizens and women travelers.
