PhonePe launches RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ NCMC card for offline transit payments: Here’s how it works

PhonePe has launched the RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) designed for contactless payments across public transport services in India. The card is intended to support the government’s “One Nation One Card” initiative, which aims to enable a single payment system for different transit services across the country. The card will allow commuters to make tap-and-pay payments for NCMC-enabled services, such as metro systems, buses, trains, toll plazas, and parking facilities.

PhonePe RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ card: Here’s how it works

The RuPay “On-The-Go” Card is a prepaid model, with funds stored on the card's chip. Thus, you can make payments even when you have no Internet or network connectivity. The card can be recharged up to Rs 2,000, and the limit for any single offline transaction is Rs 500. The company has stated that the card can be issued to the customer immediately.

The first phase of the rollout will take place in partnership with L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited at the Hyderabad Metro. Commuters can purchase the card at Hyderabad Metro ticket counters. After verifying their phone number with a one-time password (OTP), a metro agent can issue and top up the card via UPI, cash, or bank cards.

Although the card is initially being issued in Hyderabad, it can be used across other NCMC-enabled transport systems in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

The launch marks PhonePe’s entry into transit-related payment services. The company said it plans to expand integration with additional transport operators across India. In addition to the physical card, PhonePe said users can also access services such as digital ticketing, transit passes and smart card recharge through its mobile app.

What PhonePe said about the new RuPay ‘On-The-Go’ NCMC card

Deep Agrawal, Head of Payments at PhonePe, said the card is aimed at commuters who regularly use public transport.

“We are excited to launch the PhonePe 'On-The-Go' Card aimed towards crores of consumers who use public transport to commute everyday. This card enables quick 'Tap-and-Pay' transactions at transit providers across the country. It works without the need for internet connectivity via a balance present on the card. It is our first step in integrating our digital wallet ecosystem with national public transport, delivering a secure experience for every commuter and furthering the foundation for national interoperability on the back of the NCMC framework powered by RuPay,” Agarwal said.