PUNE: Technical glitches in the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system – introduced by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to make ticketing faster and more convenient – have left passengers and bus conductors struggling with failed transactions, rejected cards and delays in ticket issuance. Conductors are increasingly facing the ire of passengers when cards are not recognised by ticketing machines, QR code messages fail to scan, or money is deducted from passengers’ accounts without tickets being generated. With conductors having little control over the technical system, the responsibility for resolving these issues has become a growing concern during daily state transport (ST) bus operations.
Why do we have to argue with conductors or worry about whether we will get our tickets if money is available but the machine does not accept the card. The NCMC rollout is part of the MSRTC’s wider efforts to digitise concessional ticketing, improve transparency and curb misuse of government travel benefits. The card was initially scheduled to become mandatory for women and eligible senior citizens seeking concessional fares from August 1, 2026. The mandatory requirement was brought into effect on September 1, but the corporation later extended the deadline to September 30 amid technical difficulties.
Because many eligible passengers had not received their cards, the deadline was subsequently extended to September 1.
A senior citizen Madhuram Pangare travelling on an ST bus, said, “We depend on the concessions provided by the government, and we expect the card to work when we board the bus.
Lalita Mystry said, “The card was introduced to make travel convenient but when the transaction fails, passengers are left confused about what to do next. The NCMC card facility has been introduced recently, and we expect the technical difficulties to be resolved over the next few days,” he said. There should be a clear alternative if the machine does not work so that passengers and conductors do not have to face unnecessary arguments.
“We have informed the head office about the problems faced by passengers and have also brought them to the attention of the concerned company.
MSRTC Pune divisional controller Arun Siya said that the corporation is aware of the difficulties and has taken up the matter with the concerned authorities and the company responsible for the system.
