The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has temporarily suspended the issuance of new National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) following technical issues arising from insolvency proceedings against AGS Transact Technologies, the technology partner of RBL Bank, which was issuing these cards in the city.

Recharge issues trouble commuters

Over the past few weeks, multiple commuters have reported failures in recharging their NCMC cards, leading to confusion and inconvenience at metro stations. One such user, Saneesh S, shared his experience at Cubbon Park Metro Station, saying:

“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?”

This scenario is being repeated across several Bengaluru Metro stations as users find themselves unable to top up their cards, essentially leaving their balances frozen.

BMRCL confirms technical glitch and offers stopgap solution

BMRCL’s Chief PRO BL Yeshwanth Chavan acknowledged the issue, attributing it to backend technical failures linked to AGS Transact Technologies. He explained that to minimise commuter inconvenience, the staff are now offering free closed-loop smart cards to affected users and are ensuring that existing balances are transferred to the new cards.

“We’ve been informed that the issue may be resolved by April 15, after which NCMC card sales could resume,” Chavan added.

Why NCMC cards matter

The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was conceptualised by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as a universal transport solution. Built on the RuPay payment network, it can be used not only for public transit but also for toll payments, retail purchases, and other digital transactions.

The card is intended to bring interoperability across various modes of transport in India, creating a seamless travel and payment experience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself used the NCMC card in Bengaluru during the inauguration of the Whitefield-Krishnarajapura Metro section in March 2023.

However, despite the push for integration, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has not yet started accepting NCMC cards on its buses, limiting the card’s utility in the city.

Insolvency of AGS Transact Technologies: The root cause

The technical disruption originates from AGS Transact Technologies, which was handling backend support for RBL Bank’s NCMC issuance. As insolvency proceedings against AGS began, their backend services were disrupted, affecting card recharges and updates. According to BMRCL officials, RBL Bank has now onboarded a new technical partner, which could help restore full service in the coming weeks.

Scale of impact

Between March 2023 and October 2024, more than 57,000 NCMC cards were issued in Bengaluru through the RBL Bank and AGS Transact partnership. The ongoing disruption has left a significant portion of these users facing issues.

The lack of functional recharge options and suspended issuance of new cards has not only affected daily commuters but also undermined trust in what was touted as a future-ready mobility solution.

Transition to closed-loop cards: A stop-gap fix

In the interim, BMRCL is providing closed-loop smart cards, which are only usable within the Bengaluru Metro system. While they ensure continuity of travel, they lack the multi-purpose utility of NCMC cards, such as retail purchases or use in other transit systems.

Despite the cards being given free of cost and balances transferred, commuters who underwent full KYC procedures for NCMC cards feel the downgrade is unjustified and undermines the goal of unified travel convenience.

What to expect going forward

According to BMRCL, the technical transition to a new partner is underway, and normal service is expected to resume by April 15, 2025. Once resolved, issuance of NCMC cards will likely restart, and existing card functionalities could be restored.

For commuters and urban mobility advocates, the episode is a reminder of the fragility of tech integrations in public infrastructure, and the need for contingency planning and better backend support.

Conclusion

The suspension of NCMC card issuance and associated recharge troubles in Bengaluru is a significant hiccup in India’s push towards integrated digital mobility. While BMRCL’s prompt response in offering stopgap solutions like closed-loop cards is commendable, the incident highlights the importance of reliable technical partnerships in public service delivery.

Commuters await the resumption of full NCMC services post-April 15, with hope that this issue leads to better preparedness and coordination in future rollouts of such critical services.

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