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Delhi Metro & Airtel Payments Bank Launch RuPay 'On-The-Go' Cards for Nationwide Travel

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay 'On-The-Go' cards with National Common Mobility Card facility. The cards enable commuters to use a single open-loop card across metro systems, buses, and other transit networks nationwide. Available as Debit cards and PPI-MTS, the initiative aligns with the Government of India's 'One Nation, One Card' vision. The cards will be available at all DMRC stations within 10 days, with digital recharge options through the DMRC or Airtel apps.

Key Points: Delhi Metro's RuPay 'On-The-Go' Cards for Nationwide Travel

  • Delhi Metro partners with Airtel Payments Bank for co-branded RuPay cards
  • Cards feature National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) facility for nationwide transit use
  • Available as Debit cards and PPI-MTS, aligned with 'One Nation, One Card' vision
  • Cards available at all DMRC stations within 10 days, with digital recharge options
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Delhi Metro partners with Airtel Payments Bank to launch RuPay 'On-The-Go' cards

Delhi Metro partners with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay 'On-The-Go' cards with NCMC facility, enabling seamless travel across transit systems nationwide.

"This exclusive partnership with Airtel Payments Bank and the introduction of co-branded NCMC cards will enable seamless and interoperable travel for our commuters - Dr. Vikas Kumar"

New Delhi, May 10

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay 'On-The-Go' cards with the National Common Mobility Card facility, enabling commuters to use a single open-loop card across metro systems, buses and other transit networks nationwide.

The announcement was made on Sunday at the Delhi Metro headquarters in the presence of DMRC Managing Director Vikas Kumar, Airtel Payments Bank MD & CEO Anubrata Biswas and senior officials from both organisations.

The new co-branded cards -- available as Debit cards and PPI-MTS (Prepaid Payment Instrument for Mass Transit Systems) -- represent "a significant upgrade from existing DMRC-issued cards, which are limited to the Delhi Metro network." The initiative is aligned with the Government of India's 'One Nation, One Card' vision, aimed at simplifying and unifying transit payments across the country.

"DMRC has consistently focused on adopting innovative solutions to enhance passenger convenience," said Dr. Vikas Kumar, Managing Director, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. "This exclusive partnership with Airtel Payments Bank and the introduction of co-branded NCMC cards will enable seamless and interoperable travel for our commuters, not only within the Delhi Metro network but also across multiple transit systems nationwide."

Biswas, MD & CEO, Airtel Payments Bank, said, "Our partnership with DMRC reflects a shared vision to simplify and modernise urban mobility through secure, digital-first solutions." He added, "With the launch of the co-branded 'On-the-Go' NCMC cards, we are enabling commuters to experience seamless travel across transit systems, while advancing the larger ambition of 'One Nation, One Card' for India."

The cards will be available at all DMRC stations within the next 10 days, ensuring easy accessibility for commuters. Users will also be able to recharge their cards digitally at any time through the DMRC app or the Airtel app, "significantly reducing the need to queue at stations for top-ups."

Existing DMRC-issued cards will continue to function as usual, and DMRC said it will continue to further promote the sale of NCMC cards going forward.

The launch marks "a broader shift towards embedding digital payments seamlessly into everyday mobility, bringing together transit and banking to create a more integrated commuter experience." The move is expected to improve convenience for millions of daily commuters while advancing India's push toward interoperable digital payments in public transport.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Good initiative, but I hope Airtel doesn't start charging hidden fees like they do for everything else. The DMRC app recharge part is nice though. At least we can avoid standing in those long queues at busy stations like Rajiv Chowk! 👍
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James A
This is a smart move. In Canada, we have a similar system (Presto card) that works across multiple transit systems. Glad to see India adopting these models. Will this work if I take the Delhi Metro and then a bus in Mumbai later? That would be true interoperability.
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Siddharth J
Don't get me wrong, this is a good step forward. But I'm worried about the cost. These NCMC cards usually cost more than the regular ones. And if I lose a card that's linked to my bank account... 😬 Hopefully, the card prices are reasonable. The old DMRC cards cost just ₹50.
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Emma D
Brilliant! As someone who studies in Delhi but lives in Gurgaon, I use the Metro, then a feeder bus, and sometimes even an auto for short distances. If this card works on all of them? That's a game-changer. Digital India is really happening now.
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Amit S
Good to see progress. But I have a small concern – the DMRC app is already pretty buggy sometimes. If recharging depends on that app working perfectly... I hope they've tested this thoroughly. Also, do we need to open an Airtel bank account to get this card? That would be a dealbreaker.

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