Synopsis: India is stepping toward a unified public transport payment system at a steady pace through the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC). There are several companies and banks that have launched their own versions of NCMC cards to make commuting easy across metros, buses, tolls, and parking. Three comparable options include the PhonePe On-The-Go Card, the Flipkart Bharat Yatra Card, and the SBI Nation First Transit Card.
The upgradation in unified digital payment methods for public transport through the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is more evident than ever. The main motto behind these upgrades and introductions is that the commuters should be able to use a single contactless card to pay for metro rides, buses, parking, and tolls across multiple cities without needing multiple cards.
Several fintech companies and banks have begun launching their own versions of NCMC cards to support this initiative. Among the latest options available to users are the PhonePe On-The-Go Card from PhonePe, the Bharat Yatra Card introduced by Flipkart in partnership with Pine Labs, and the Nation First Transit Card issued by State Bank of India.
All three cards are introduced to make the transit payments easy. However, they differ in how users can obtain them, recharge them, and use them beyond transportation. That is why let us understand in this article how the new PhonePe card differs from the ones already in the market and whether it is really worthy to apply.
1. PhonePe ‘On-The-Go’ Card
- Type: Prepaid RuPay NCMC card
- Issuer: PhonePe.
- Usage: Metro, Buses, Parking, and Tolls at NCMC terminals
- Contactless Payments: Tap-and-pay
- Offline Payment: Yes
- Recharge: UPI and PhonePe app.
- Maximum Balance: ₹2000
- Max offline txn limit: ₹500
How to Get the Card
To get the card, one needs to first visit select Hyderabad Metro station counters and then provide your mobile number for verification. After that, pay the card issuance fee and load the initial balance. The card is issued instantly and can be used right away, and future recharges can be done digitally through the PhonePe app.
Benefits
The PhonePe On-The-Go card can be managed completely through the PhonePe app. People who already use PhonePe for payments can directly recharge and manage their card within the app. Its offline function also helps in transactions at transit points even if there is no internet connectivity.
2. Flipkart Bharat Yatra Card
- Type: Prepaid RuPay NCMC card
- Issuer: Flipkart and Pine Labs.
- Availability: It can be ordered online
- Zero-KYC Option: It allows users to start using the card without completing full KYC
- Usage: Works across NCMC-enabled metro and public transport networks.
- Recharge: Supports UPI-based recharges via QR code or supported apps.
- Validity: 5 years
- Maximum Top-up Amount: ₹2000
- Price of the Card: ₹50
How to Get the Card
To get this card, you need to open the Flipkart app or other supported delivery platforms and search for Bharat Yatra Card and place an order. After that pay the nominal purchase price (around ₹50), and then the card will be delivered to your home in supported cities. Lastly, activate it by scanning the QR code and recharge using UPI.
Benefits
The Bharat Yatra card’s major plus point is that it can be ordered online and delivered to your doorstep. This feature allows users to get the card even without visiting a bank or metro counter. Its low price and easy activation process make it a good option for commuters.
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3. SBI Nation First Transit Card
- Type: Prepaid RuPay NCMC card
- Issuer: State Bank of India
- Usage: Metro, buses, tolls, and parking payments
- Contactless Payments: Tap-and-pay system
- Offline Transit Wallet: Stores balance on the card chip for offline transactions.
- Minimum Top-up Amount: ₹100
- Maximum Top-up Amount: ₹2000
How to Get the Card
To get the card, you need to visit a designated SBI branch or supported transit counter and request the Nation First Transit Card. After completing the basic details or optional KYC verification, you need to load the minimum balance required to activate the card. After that, the card can then be used immediately for transit payments.
Benefits
The Nation First Transit Card offers the reliability of a bank-issued product. Apart from public transport payments, the card also supports retail transactions. This feature makes it more versatile than other transit-only cards. SBI Nation First is a suitable option for users who prefer a bank-backed prepaid payment solution.
Comparison Table
Conclusion
All three cards are under the National Common Mobility Card network and help users in transit payments across the country. However, each one targets a slightly different type of user.
The PhonePe On-The-Go card suits users who prefer app-style digital payment methods and easy mobile recharges. The Flipkart Bharat Yatra card stands out for its convenience, as it can be ordered online and activated quickly without extensive documentation.
Meanwhile, the SBI Nation First Transit Card offers the reliability of a bank-issued payment card with added usage options. As NCMC adoption continues to expand, such transit cards could gradually replace multiple city-specific metro cards and make public transportation payments easier and faster.
