Bengaluru: Commuters using both BMTC buses and Namma Metro trains can now travel with a single National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), ending a long wait for seamless card-based travel across the city’s two major public transport systems.Chief minister DK Shivakumar launched the NCMC facility for BMTC buses at Vidhana Soudha Thursday as part of the state govt’s 100-day celebrations. Metro has been accepting NCMC cards since May 2023, but their use on BMTC buses was held up by technical and operational issues. Now, commuters can use a single card for travel on both BMTC buses and Namma Metro.BMTC also launched the upgraded Namma BMTC 2.0 mobile app, aimed at bringing multiple public transport services under one digital platform. According to BMTC, the app integrates ticketing, digital payments, bus passes, journey planning, and live bus tracking. Commuters can also purchase BMTC digital tickets and Namma Metro QR tickets through the app.Its journey planner provides travel options by bus, Metro or a combination of both, based on the passenger’s origin and destination. Users can also purchase various BMTC passes, including Ordinary, Express, Vajra Gold, Vayu Vajra and NICE Road passes.One Karnataka Mobility AppIn addition to the new version of Namma BMTC app, govt also launched the One Karnataka Mobility App, providing a single platform for accessing bus services operated by all four state road transport corporations — KSRTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC and BMTC.Govt has also introduced WhatsApp-based ticketing, currently available for KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC services. Passengers can initiate the booking process by messaging +91 6364940880 on WhatsApp.The system allows commuters to select their origin, destination and journey date, choose a bus service, enter their details and make digital payments through UPI, credit and debit cards, or mobile wallets.
