MSRTC defers NCMC card rule for women till Dec 31, concessional ST travel allowed without it

Women who travel by ST buses have received some relief. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has put off, for the time being, its decision to make the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) mandatory. This means women can travel on ST buses at concessional fares without an NCMC card until December 31, 2026. The decision will be implemented from November 7.

The corporation had been receiving continuous complaints that women faced considerable difficulty in registering, activating and using the NCMC card. Women in rural areas in particular were not getting full information and facilities about card registration, and they had to bear the inconvenience. For this reason, the corporation has withdrawn the strictness on the card for some time.

Along with the card problems, figures also show a fall in the corporation's income. Its average daily income was Rs 33 crore in September. In October it dropped to Rs 28 crore, a fall of about Rs 5 crore in daily earnings.

In addition, the corporation's loss in September 2026 has risen by Rs 36.33 crore compared with the same period last year. However, the corporation has not officially said that the fall in income is because of the NCMC card requirement.

The NCMC card had been made mandatory from October 1 for women and senior citizens travelling at concessional fares. But several hurdles arose in the registration and card activation process. So far the corporation has registered and distributed about 1.10 crore NCMC cards. Even so, card registration for many eligible women passengers is yet to be completed.

To finish the remaining registrations, the ST corporation will hold special registration and card distribution camps at the gram panchayat level. Local elected representatives, passenger organisations and gram panchayat officials will be enlisted to help at these camps.

After this decision, no woman will have to go without concessional travel for want of a card. Until December 31, women will be able to avail the concession even without an NCMC card.