{
  "id": 11474997,
  "title": "MSRTC NCMC Card Rule Comes Into Force Amid Overcharging Complaints, Card Shortage And Fare Confusion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/msrtc-ncmc-card-rule-comes-into-force-amid-overcharging-complaints",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T15:03:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/msrtc-ncmc-card-rule-comes-into-force-amid-overcharging-complaints-card-shortage-and-fare-confusion"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has implemented a new rule making NCMC cards mandatory for eligible passengers to receive fare concessions. This change came into effect on October 1, 2021, with senior citizens, Amrut senior citizens, and women traveling on concession required to display the card for the benefit. The QR-coded receipt issued after registration is valid for 30 days. However, concerns have arisen about overcharging, a shortage of cards, and conflicting rules between offline and online ticketing systems.\n\nSeveral issues have been raised about the card distribution process, with MSRTC appointing 6,012 agents across the state to distribute NCMC cards. Complaints suggest that cards priced at ₹199 are being sold for ₹250 to ₹300 at some locations, with allegations that agents deposited ₹30,000 as a non-refundable amount while taking up the distribution work. Additionally, the online booking system continues to display the senior citizen concession even when the passenger has not presented the NCMC card, leaving eligible passengers confused.\n\nTransport Minister Pratap Sarnaik acknowledged the concerns over obtaining cards and alleged overcharging, stating that corrective measures were being taken. He added that a decision on extending the deadline had to be made at some point. A senior citizen who recently faced an anomaly on a Shivneri bus reported being charged the full ₹705 fare despite being informed that the NCMC card was mandatory. Upon booking his next journey online using his age and passenger details, he found that the senior citizen concession was available, highlighting the inconsistencies within the system.\n\nThe immediate concern is not just the NCMC card itself but the lack of uniformity in implementing the concession rules across buses, counters, and online bookings. This inconsistency risks penalizing the very passengers the scheme is meant to benefit. The implementation of the NCMC card system has revealed several shortcomings in planning and execution, prompting Shrirang Barge, general secretary of Maharashtra ST Employees Congress, to express concerns about the rollout process. The focus now is on addressing these issues to ensure genuine beneficiaries receive the intended fare concessions without facing additional financial burdens.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation’s (MSRTC) decision to make NCMC cards mandatory for availing fare concessions has come into effect amid complaints of overcharging, lack of cards and conflicting rules between offline and online ticketing. While passengers without the card are being charged the full fare on buses, the concession is still appearing on the MSRTC’s online…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}