One-Nation-One-Card: Here’s what you need to know about India’s public transport smart card

• India on Monday launched a smart card that aims to link all modes of public transport in the country.
• The RuPay-powered card is an amalgamation of all the other cards. People will be able to book tickets, use it for metro in any city and pay for parking.
• It will also let users withdraw money using the card.

In a bid to promote hassle-free and cashless transportation, India on Monday unveiled ‘One-Nation-One-Card,’ a smart card valid for all modes of public transport in the country.



The card will run on the government-backed payment platform RuPay, and will be valid at metros, buses or trains, as well as for toll and parking.

The card draws inspiration from existing services connecting transport in Singapore and London. India’s capital, New Delhi, has already been running a pilot project of a common smart card “One Card” connecting city buses and the Delhi metro.

RuPay Contactless Card with NCMC is now available with almost 25+ large banks as debit, credit or prepaid. With thi… https://t.co/9pN7qQnBbA

— RuPay (@RuPay_npci) 1551699840000

Here are some key facts about the card:

1. It will be powered by RuPay and can be used across all the public transport and retail payments including transit, retail, toll, and parking. In fact, it will let people withdraw money from it.
2. The card will be issued by any bank as debit, credit or prepaid.
3. The “Made in India” RuPay Card is a contactless card and will allow people to tap-and-go.
4. It can be used just like any other debit or credit card. The smart card can either be used to get tickets from the counter or to enter the stations like metro.
5. The smart card also has a “unique stored value” feature that can be used to make digital payments in offline mode.
6. It will also allow the purchase of monthly passes and season tickets.
7. The concept of a single card for all public transportation came from Singapore and London. London’s Oyster card allows travel on any bus, metro or suburban trains.
8. India is reportedly using its own indigenous technology to support the card.

In September, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said "The objective of the strategy is to plan for the citizens first, rather than focusing on vehicles alone, by providing sustainable mobility and accessibility by switching to cleaner mode of transportation," reported IANS.

(With Agencies)