Singara Chennai Travel Card launched for cashless bus travel Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S. S. Sivasankar

Chennai has made a major leap towards digital and cashless travel with the launch of the “Singara Chennai” travel card. It was inaugurated on March 26, 2025, by Tamil Nadu Transport Minister S. S. Sivasankar, with the vision to make bus travel easier for commuters.

The Singara Chennai travel card allows passengers to buy bus tickets online, minimizing dependence on cash purchases. Integrated with Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs), the card makes transactions easy on buses with this facility. The card is available for ₹100, with ₹50 usable as travel fare, and users can top up their cards online, through mobile apps, or at Airtel Payments Bank counters. The new version also lets commuters load travel credits in real time, doing away with the earlier 20-trip cap. The highlight of the card is the QR code at its rear, allowing passengers to scan and reload from their smartphones. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology is also available for users to replenish their balance through mobile devices using the Airtel Payments Bank app. The move is likely to increase cashless travel, offering a secure, easy, and fast payment solution for Chennai public transport commuters.

More than 30,000 travel cards have been issued so far, with over 16,000 commuters traveling every day using them. Expansion of the initiative is planned with the cards to be made available at major bus terminals and busy stops in Chennai.

The decision comes in sync with the increased adoption of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) system, enabling convenient travel across public transport modes in India.

The Singara Chennai travel card is a major leap in the public transport system of Chennai, encouraging cashless transactions and making the journey for thousands of commuters every day smoother.