Bengaluru: Bengaluru commuters can now travel more seamlessly between the city’s Metro network and BMTC buses using a single payment card, following the activation of National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) support across the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus fleet.
The integration allows commuters to use the RBL Bank National Common Mobility Card, originally issued for Bengaluru Metro journeys, on BMTC buses as well. Alongside the NCMC rollout, transport authorities have introduced Namma BMTC Mobile App 2.0, a unified digital platform that brings bus and Metro-related services together through a single interface.
The initiatives are aimed at making public transport more integrated, cashless and convenient for commuters who regularly switch between different modes of transport.
One card for Metro and bus travel
The NCMC is a nationwide interoperable payment framework designed to enable commuters to use a common payment instrument across different public transport systems.
With the latest integration, passengers can use the same NCMC card to travel on BMRCL Metro services and BMTC buses, reducing the need to maintain separate tickets or payment methods for each mode.
The move is expected to particularly benefit commuters who combine Metro and bus journeys as part of their daily travel.
The rollout follows earlier delays in introducing NCMC support on BMTC services. With the system now activated across the bus fleet, authorities are seeking to bridge the payment gap between Bengaluru’s two major public transport networks.
Namma BMTC 2.0 launched
The upgraded Namma BMTC Mobile App 2.0 was formally launched at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and Transport Minister B S Suresh.
The application is designed as a comprehensive digital transit platform, allowing passengers to access bus and Metro-related services through a single application.
One of its key features is multimodal journey planning. Commuters can enter their origin and destination and receive integrated travel options involving BMTC bus services and BMRCL Metro routes.
This is intended to make it easier for passengers to plan journeys that involve changing from buses to Metro trains or vice versa.
Live bus tracking and ETAs
The upgraded application also provides access to live transport information.
Commuters can view the real-time GPS location of BMTC buses, estimated arrival times and stop-by-stop schedules. The application also provides information about nearby transit hubs.
The availability of live telematics is expected to help passengers plan their journeys more efficiently by providing updated information on the location and expected arrival of buses.
The integration of real-time information with journey planning gives commuters access to several aspects of their trip through one digital platform rather than relying on separate applications or information sources.
Unified digital ticketing
Namma BMTC 2.0 also supports digital ticketing for public transport services.
Passengers can generate BMTC digital bus tickets through the application, while BMRCL Metro QR tickets can also be accessed through the platform.
The unified ticketing facility is intended to simplify the process for commuters who use both modes of transport during a single journey.
The application also supports the purchase and management of different BMTC commuter passes directly through the user’s device.
These include the Vistara Pass, Vajra Gold Pass, General Vistara Pass, Vayu Vayra Pass and NICE Road Pass.
Kannada and English support
The upgraded application has been designed with bilingual functionality, supporting both Kannada and English.
Stop names, navigation labels and transaction receipts can be displayed in the local language, making the application more accessible to a wider section of Bengaluru’s commuters.
The platform also supports digital payments through instant payment channels, including UPI and mobile wallets.
Passengers can also access their transaction history and previous receipts through the application, providing a digital record of their purchases.
Towards an integrated transit network
The NCMC integration and Namma BMTC 2.0 are part of efforts to create a more interconnected public transport ecosystem in Bengaluru.
For commuters, the ability to use a common mobility card across BMTC buses and Metro services could reduce dependence on cash and separate ticketing systems. The unified application is also intended to bring journey planning, real-time information, ticketing and pass management under one digital platform.
BMTC officials said the initiatives are aimed at building a passenger-centric transport system that makes public transit easier to access and use.
The upgraded Namma BMTC 2.0 application is currently available for download through the Google Play Store.
With Bengaluru continuing to expand its public transport network and commuters increasingly relying on combinations of buses and Metro services, the integration of payment, ticketing and journey-planning systems is expected to make multimodal travel more convenient.