In a pioneering initiative to boost public transport ease, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has announced the rollout of ticket payment via the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) across its bus services. Just like in the Delhi Metro, passengers can now pay for their DTC bus tickets using the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). Additionally, a 10% discount on fares will be offered when buying tickets using this card.
As part of a trial and testing phase, DTC management has implemented this system as a pilot project on all buses operating from the Rajghat and Hasanpur depots. According to officials, the pilot project has been operating successfully, and efforts are currently in progress to implement the system across the entire DTC bus fleet in the near future.
Successful Pilot Testing of National Common Mobility Card
The rollout follows successful pilot testing of National Common Mobility Card conducted on buses operating from Rajghat and Hasanpur depots. DTC in collaboration with Canara Bank, to provide the payment gateway. The bank has equipped these buses with Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) to facilitate card payments, with 100 machines at the Rajghat depot and 245 at the Hasanpur depot. With the trial yielding positive results, DTC is now gearing up to implement this system across its entire fleet.
Buy Bus Tickets with a Common Mobility Card
Passengers can now use the Common Mobility Card on these ETM machines to purchase DTC bus tickets, just like how payments are made using debit or credit cards for everyday purchases. Payment can be made through RuPay based Common Mobility Card issued by any bank. Furthermore, the newly issued NCMC cards available at Metro Stations can also be used to buy bus tickets. The payment process is very simple and easy, not to worry about it.
Enjoy 10% Discount on Fares by using NCMC Card
To inform the passengers about this facility, display boards in buses are broadcasting the message that a 10% discount on fares is available when tickets are purchased with the NCMC card. Announcements are being made inside buses. Soon, passengers will be informed about this by putting stickers/ads around the seats. At present, Delhi Transport Corporation is trying to implement this system in all DTC buses as soon as possible.
Passengers Reactions
Commuters have warmly welcomed this initiative, with many voicing their excitement over no longer needing to fumble for loose change -a common annoyance on bus journeys. Regular bus user Nitish Kumar remarked, “This is a fantastic move- it solves the age-old issue of finding exact change for tickets.” Another commuter, Narendra Kumar, highlighted the savings, saying, “I travel multiple times a day and save 10% on each trip. It’s a win-win.”
The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) intends to implement this system across its entire fleet of buses soon. Efforts are actively being made to inform passengers through display boards, announcements, and stickers placed within buses. This initiative represents a big milestone in the modernization of the public transport system in Delhi to substantially improve the ease and frequency of passenger’s daily commute.