MSRTC warns NCMC card users: agent recharge costs far more than conductor or online

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, or MSRTC, has made it mandatory from September 1, 2026, for women and senior citizens travelling at concessional fares to hold an NCMC card. This has led to large crowds at ST depots across the state as people rush to get the cards made. Some have already received their cards, while many others are still waiting.

Those who have not yet received their card need not worry, as they will not be stopped from availing the concessional fare. If a person has applied for an NCMC card and has the acknowledgment receipt, they can travel by showing that receipt until the card arrives.

The real caution is needed after receiving the card, when recharging it, because the amount credited to the card varies significantly depending on where the recharge is done. Recharging through the wrong channel can result in unnecessary loss of money.

There are currently three ways to recharge an NCMC card: through the conductor or staff at an ST bus or depot, through an agent, or online from home. Passengers should keep in mind that there is a huge difference between the charges levied on recharges done through conductors and those done through agents.

For example, if a passenger recharges Rs 50 on an NCMC card through a conductor, Rs 49.47 gets credited to the card after deducting GST and applicable charges, with Rs 0.08 deducted as GST and Rs 0.45 as charges.

If the same Rs 50 recharge is done through an agent, only Rs 37.67 gets credited to the card, with Rs 1.88 deducted as GST and Rs 10.45 deducted as a convenience fee. This means a conductor recharge yields Rs 49.47 while an agent recharge yields only Rs 37.67, a difference of Rs 11.80. Passengers should therefore avoid recharging through agents.

Why does an agent charge more? The tender of the company providing NCMC services includes a provision for paying agents who handle card transactions a Merchant Discount Rate, or MDR. This charge is levied by banks, payment networks or the service-providing company for processing digital card payments.

According to MSRTC officials, an agent deducts about Rs 13.86 for every Rs 100 recharged. In comparison, a passenger topping up through an ST conductor is charged only Rs 2 as a gateway fee. Since the conductor is MSRTC staff, they do not receive commission like an agent does.

NCMC cardholders should therefore check the charges before getting a recharge done. Recharging through an agent, in particular, can significantly reduce the amount credited to the card. Passengers would benefit from recharging through an ST conductor or the official online channel wherever possible.