Chennai Metro to Retire Old Cards from August 1st, Singara Chennai Card to Replace Them

The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL) has announced the discontinuation of old metro cards, with the new system commencing on August 1st. Commuters will no longer be able to recharge the existing cards. From the following month, only the Singara Chennai Card, which aligns with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) standards, will be accepted for top-ups across all 41 metro stations in Chennai. If your old metro card still has a balance, it can continue to be used until the balance is depleted. Once the balance falls below ₹50, the old card must be surrendered at any metro station ticket counter, as it will then become inactive. A new Singara Card will be provided free of charge. The balance and any security deposit from the old card will be automatically transferred to the new card. The Singara card, introduced in 2023, is compliant with the NCMC standards developed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It’s designed to function as a single payment method for various modes of transport, including buses, metro, and toll booths. To aid commuters during this transition, CMRL will establish help desks at every metro station. Digital facilities such as QR code-based ticketing via mobile apps will not be affected by this change.