National Common Mobility Card - India - finally live.

A new entrant in the ePayments arena,  National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was formally launched by  union minister for urban development, Kamal Nath on 06/12/2011,  during Urban Mobility India 2011 conference.

The NCMC has been branded as ''More'' signifying the national bird ''Peacock''.

Further in English, “more”, means  that the user get more and more by using this card.

What is the basic idea of NCMC ?

In simple terms, it is another mode of ePayments i.e electronic wallet.

NCMC has been promoted by Urban Development Ministry headed by Shri Kamal Nath.

The idea of NCMC is to enable the user with a single transport system that provides seamless, efficient and hassle free travel experience across the length and breadth of the country.

The ministry of urban development also plans of implementing a single ticketing system for all modes of public transport in India but also for parking and toll.

The implementation of 'More' will be partly funded by central government under the JNNURM scheme, covering the buses sanctioned under the scheme.

To popularise NCMC, Ministry of Urban Development, has stipulated the introduction of NCMC as a major  conditions, for financing  Urban Transport programs. This is akin to a carrot and stick policy.

This is a common marketing technique!!

UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services (UTIITSL), a government of India and ministry of finance company, has been appointed as the technology aggregator to implement NCMC project.

The first client under NCMC is Jaipur City Transport Services limited i.e  JCTSL, Jaipur and is expected to roll out by the end of this financial year.

Talks with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bangalore and Bhopal Municipal Corporation are also at advanced stage.

The Centre will spearhead a national programme of inter-operable automated fare collection system (AFCS) for the purpose.

The future of NCMC-More is on various modes of transportation like metro, bus, train, taxi and ferry. NCMC can  also be used to pay toll across the country.

The spin-off of NCMC  would be felt in Public Transport Organisations, by significantly increasing overall efficiency, providing control and better management of tariff structure, reducing cash handling and hence lesser pilferage and fraud.

The possibilities are endless. The technology is in place and now co-ordination between various departmental personnel is required. And, hence, the complete benefits of NCMC can be enjoyed in another 5 years.