ST asks concession holders, women in particular, to register for NCMC cards by end-November

Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) has asked its concession passengers to speed up registration for the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), so that they can easily avail of the various concessions. Women passengers in particular have been urged to register their NCMC card by the end of November 2026.

Under a government decision, all concession holders of the ST corporation are being given an NCMC card for the fare concessions they receive. Arrangements for card registration and distribution have been made through an authorised agency at ST depots, bus stations and other places convenient to passengers. At the authorised centres, the work runs from 7 am to 7 pm.

So that women passengers face no difficulty in availing of the concession, special emphasis has been laid on completing card registration by the end of November. To take the facility to senior citizens, Amrut senior citizens and women concession holders living in villages, an appeal has been made to organise special registration and card distribution camps through panchayat samiti and gram panchayat offices.

To hold such camps, the offices concerned will have to contact the ST corporation's divisional office or depot representatives. Instructions have been given for local-level coordination so that all eligible beneficiaries, including anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, homemakers and working women, can register easily.

The corporation says the main aim of the initiative is that eligible passengers get the benefit of ST's various concession schemes without any hindrance. It has asked passengers to register their NCMC cards in good time, and the agencies concerned to try to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.

On how to get the card, passengers should enquire at an NCMC registration centre or with an authorised agent. They should carry their Aadhaar card and the mobile number linked to Aadhaar. Proof of the relevant concession may also have to be shown, depending on the case. According to the available information, the fee for a new card is Rs 199. A different fee may apply when taking a card in exchange for an old ST smart card. Once the card is received, it should be activated and the balance needed for travel should be loaded.

The card can be topped up by scanning the QR code on its back on the BHIM app. It can also be recharged at an ST depot or authorised centre, depending on the facility available. Before travelling, passengers should make sure the card is active and has the required balance. In some cases, the balance may have to be updated on the card after a recharge.

If registration is done but the physical card has not yet arrived, the registration receipt carrying a QR code can be used for a time to obtain a concession ticket. According to the information given, the receipt is valid for 30 days, and the QR code is scanned on the conductor's ETM machine. Passengers should confirm this facility with their depot before travelling.