Chennai, April 22:
In a major step towards digital and unified ticketing, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced that traditional metro travel cards will be completely discontinued from May 1, 2026.
Commuters in Chennai will henceforth be required to use the Singara Chennai Card, also known as the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), for metro travel.
Introduced in April 2023, the NCMC has already seen widespread adoption among passengers, offering seamless and interoperable commuting across metro services.
Over the past year, CMRL has gradually phased out older closed-loop travel cards by halting new issuance and recharge options, setting the stage for a complete transition.
Passengers still holding old travel cards have been advised to transfer their remaining balance to a QR-based Stored Value Pass (SVP) through the CMRL mobile app or switch directly to the NCMC to continue accessing metro services and parking facilities.
In an earlier move, CMRL had also discontinued tourist travel cards in January 2025, which were popular for offering unlimited rides over one-day and 30-day periods.
The shift is part of a broader initiative to implement a unified and digital payment ecosystem, aimed at enhancing commuter convenience while reducing reliance on multiple ticketing systems for daily passengers and visitors alike.