Disrupted smart card service irks metro commuters

​Lucknow: Metro commuters in the city have raised concerns over the unavailability of smart card services at several stations. Passengers claim that smart cards have not been consistently available for the past month, forcing many to rely on token-based travel.According to commuters, repeated requests for issuing smart cards have gone unanswered, adding to frustration among regular users who prefer the ease and time-saving benefits of rechargeable cards. The situation has sparked complaints, especially during peak hours when queues for tokens tend to get longer.Responding to the issue, officials from the Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation (UPMRC) clarified that smart cards are not being actively promoted due to the upcoming launch of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).However, they said that smart cards are still available on demand at select major stations, including Hazratganj and Charbagh.UPMRC further assured that the NCMC system is expected to be introduced within the next 15 days, aimed at providing a more integrated and convenient travel experience across multiple modes of transport, potentially replacing the current smart card system altogether.