Shimla, 05 September: In a significant step towards enhancing public transport efficiency, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today launched the National Common Mobility Card of Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). This is the first card in India that allows cashless travel in public transport systems across the country, making HRTC a pioneer among State Transport Undertakings (STUs) to launch such an initiative.
The launch event in Shimla highlighted the card’s ability to provide seamless travel for commuters using multiple transit systems. The National Common Mobility Card will benefit not only public transport users of Himachal Pradesh but also people across India, as the card can be used across transit networks such as Delhi Metro, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Haryana Roadways and Mumbai’s BEST buses. CM Sukhu said, “This is a historic step for Himachal’s public transport system, aimed at making travel more convenient and accessible.”
Promoting cashless travel across the country
The National Common Mobility Card offers multiple payment options to commuters, ensuring that passengers can travel without the need for cash. The card also works in remote areas with limited internet connectivity, making it particularly beneficial for commuters from hilly and rural areas of Himachal Pradesh.
“This new initiative promotes cashless travel, streamlines transit experiences across the country and significantly enhances user experience,” Sukhu said. He emphasized that the state government aims to transform HRTC into a self-reliant organization by integrating advanced technology in its operations. “By modernizing our transport system, we are improving efficiency and ultimately benefiting the people of Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
Interoperability across the country
The most important benefit of HRTC’s National Common Mobility Card is its interoperability. Commuters using the card in Himachal Pradesh can access public transport systems in other states, including buses, metro, ferries and even parking facilities. Similarly, commuters from other states who have National Common Mobility-enabled cards will be able to use them on HRTC buses, creating a nationwide network of cashless public transport.
The card attracts a one-time issuance fee of Rs 100, and top-ups can be done online or through cash at any bus counter. The CM praised HRTC for launching the NCMC card in just six months, a time-frame that has surpassed the efforts of several other states that are still in the planning stages of similar initiatives.
Features and benefits of the card
The HRTC NCMC card, developed in collaboration with the State Bank of India, is a contactless, dual-interface, EMV-chip-based prepaid card. It offers enhanced security and a seamless travel experience. Some of the key features and benefits are as follows:
Cashless travel on HRTC buses: Passengers can purchase tickets without the need for physical cash.
Tap-and-pay technology: Provides fast and easy transactions for passengers.
Countrywide usage: Interoperable across all NCMC-enabled transit systems across India.
Enhanced security: Chip security ensures secure transactions for passengers.
Passengers can easily recharge the card online or at designated counters, with an initial minimum recharge of Rs 100 and a maximum balance limit of Rs 2,000, making the card both accessible and flexible.
Cost structure and top-up details
- Issuance fee: Rs 100
- Replacement fee: Rs 100
- Annual maintenance fee: Nil
- Top-up fee: 0.30% plus GST, or Rs 12, whichever is lower.
The stored value of the card can be used not only for bus travel, but also for other National Common Mobility Card-enabled services such as parking, metro rides, and ferries. This level of integration sets a new benchmark for public transport in India, creating a seamless experience for millions of commuters across the country.
A step towards modernizing public transport
The introduction of the National Common Mobility Card is part of a broader effort to modernize public transport in Himachal Pradesh. “We are committed to making HRTC a more efficient and technology-driven organization,” CM Sukhu said. “By providing cashless travel facilities to commuters, we are improving not just public transport but the daily lives of commuters.”
With the introduction of this card, HRTC has taken a bold step towards improving public transport systems not just in Himachal Pradesh but across the country. The National Common Mobility Card will revolutionize the way people travel, providing a more streamlined, cashless, and safer transit experience for all.
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