Bengaluru Metro suspends issuance of new National Common Mobility Cards, existing users face recharge glitches

Bengaluru Metro

Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has suspended the issuance of new National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC), even as existing users are grappling with recharge issues.

Sources told Moneycontrol that the disruption stems from insolvency proceedings against AGS Transact Technologies, the technical partner of RBL Bank, which was issuing NCMC in Bengaluru.

Several users have reported being unable to recharge their NCMC cards over the past few weeks. Saneesh S, a commuter at Cubbon Park Metro station, said, “My balance in RBL NCMC card was Rs 55, so I went to recharge the card. But station staff said it wasn’t possible and offered to replace it with a closed-loop card. What’s the point of returning a card for which I completed KYC”.

BMRCL chief PRO BL Yeshwanth Chavan, admitted the issue, stating that due to backend technical issues, some NCMC cards are not functioning properly. “In order to avoid inconvenience, our staff are offering free closed-loop smart cards, and the balance from the existing NCMC card is being transferred to the new card. We’ve been informed that the issue may be resolved by April 15, after which NCMC card sales could resume,” Chavan said.

Officials said that the problem lies with the backend support earlier handled by AGS Transact Technologies, and RBL has recently onboraded a new technical partner.

Between March 2023 and October 2024, more than 57,000 NCMC cards were issued in Bengaluru by RBL Bank in partnership with AGS Transact.

NCMC is an interoperable transport card conceptualised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Enabled through the RuPay payment network, the card can be used for transit, toll payments, retail purchases, and more. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first person to use the NCMC card in Bengaluru during the inauguration of the Whitefield-Krishnarajapura Metro section in March 2023. However, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation is yet to accept NCMC cards.