Nashik: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has mandated the use of National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) for women and senior citizens aged 65 to 75 to access travel concessions, effective Tuesday. However, beneficiaries have reported significant overcharging by private vendors, with complaints indicating price increases ranging from Rs 40 to Rs 100. This situation raises concerns about the affordability and accessibility of public transport for vulnerable groups.
Savita Bhamare, 69, said a private vendor charged her Rs290 without adding any wallet balance. Amol Jagtap (66), while talking to TOI , said, “I went to the private vendor to avoid two trips to the centre and save Rs140 on each journey. Also the govt should make a provision online to help us file complaints,” 71-year-old Hruta Patil said.
Birari confirmed that vendors found guilty will face contract termination. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik Stay updated with the latest Nashik news.
However, beneficiaries said vendors were charging inflated rates without adding any balance to the cards. We had no idea that the vendor would charge us an extra Rs90,” she said. Another senior citizen, Pandurang Shewale, said he paid Rs250 for the card. Divisional traffic officer Umesh Birari said the official rate for the card is Rs199 at the centres located inside the depots and Rs210 at the vendors located in private places. “Any additional amount collected is overcharging and that should be reported in writing at the divisional control office,” he said. “But there is no online portal or refund mechanism for the victims,” he said.
The official card fee is Rs199 at MSRTC depots and Rs210 at private centres. “When I approached the vendor, he asked me to pay Rs290. We had heard that the card would cost around Rs200, with an additional amount for the first recharge. “It is convenient for me to go to the vendor instead of going to MSRTC depots. After all they are authorised agents. But I was cheated like many others. Why will I pay Rs140 for travelling to register a complaint against the vendor who charged me an additional Rs100? “If the govt can collect Life Certificate online from pensioners then why can’t the same be used to issue such cards. Download the TOI App.