A familiar plastic card is about to become essential for millions of bus passengers across Maharashtra. More than 10.17 million people have already registered for MSRTC’s National Common Mobility Card, with 6.49 million cards activated, and from September 1 it will be mandatory for women, senior citizens and Amrut senior citizens travelling on ST buses. The system is designed to make ticketing faster and more cashless, while statewide registration for school students begins on August 15 through authorised representatives visiting schools. With more than a crore registrations already logged, Maharashtra’s traditional bus network is quietly becoming a lot more digital.