Single card for seamless travel through different metros launched
05 Mar 2019
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched a `One Nation, One Card’ to facilitate common transport mobility across various metros and other transport facilities across the nation. The `National Common Mobility’ card, India’s first, was launched at a function to launch Phase One of Ahmedabad metro on Monday.
The automatic fare collection system based on One Nation One Card model, or National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is the first of its kind in India. India’s first indigenously developed payment system for transport consisting of NCMC card, SWEEKAR (Swachalit Kiraya: Automatic Fare Collection System) and SWAGAT (Swachalit Gate) is based on NCMC Standards.
These are bank issued Debit/Credit/Prepaid cards and the customer may use this single card for payments across all segments, including metro, bus, suburban railways, toll, parking, smart city and retail. The stored value on card supports offline transaction across all travel needs with minimal financial risk to involved stakeholders. The service area feature of this card supports operator specific applications like monthly passes, season tickets etc.
The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), which enables seamless travel by different metros and other transport systems across the country besides retail shopping and purchases, is an initiative of the ministry of housing and urban affairs. The card will address the challenges associated with the cash payment, eg, cash handling, revenue leakages, cash reconciliation etc.
Various initiatives have been taken by transit operators to automate and digitise the fare collection using Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC). The introduction of closed loop cards issued by these operators helped to digitise the fare collection to a significant extent. However, the restricted usability of these payment instruments limits the digital adoption by customers.
The customers need not carry multiple cards for different usage. Further, the super quick contactless transactions will improve the seamless experience. This will also help in higher digital payments penetration, savings on closed loop card lifecycle management cost and reduced operating cost. The rich data insights may be used by operators for business intelligence leading to efficient operation, an official release stated.
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