Chennai Metro Introduces New Singara Card, Phasing Out Old Cards

Transition to the New Singara Card

The Chennai Metro Rail Corporation (CMRL) has revealed plans to discontinue the use of old metro cards starting August 1. Commuters will no longer have the option to recharge these outdated cards. From next month onward, only the Singara Chennai Card, which aligns with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) format, will be valid for top-ups across all 41 metro stations in Chennai.

If you still have a balance on your old metro card, it will remain usable until the funds are depleted. However, once the balance falls below ₹50, you must return the card at any metro station's ticket counter, as it will become inactive. At that point, you will receive a new Singara Card at no extra cost.

As reported by a property news outlet, the new Singara card will be issued free of charge, and any remaining balance along with the security deposit from the old card will be automatically transferred to the new one.

Launched in 2023, the Singara card meets the NCMC standards set by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It is intended to function as a unified payment method for various transportation modes, including buses, metro services, and toll booths.

To facilitate this transition, CMRL will establish help desks at each metro station to assist commuters in switching from the old card to the new Singara Card. Additionally, other digital services, such as QR code-based ticketing via mobile applications, will remain unaffected by this update.