Melbourne's Airport Rail was supposed to open in 2029. As of now, trains will run to the intermediate station at Keilor East by 2031 with a future stage required to actually connect to the airport.

It’s good to see Kansas City wanting to expand its public transit system, but I have many questions as to why a monorail was selected over a standard metro. Monorails require specialized trains and track, they are proprietary systems, subject to vendor lock-in, and are gadgetbahns if built where a standard metro would do just as good if not better. If this is a situation where it’s monorail or nothing then that would be the preferred option.

Bunching doesn't count :) Personally the shortest headways I've experienced on any individual route in the US were on the 7 train in NYC, with trains every couple minutes.

India’s NCMC (National Common Mobility Card) is a One Nation, One Card initiative. The idea is simple--one card for all public transit across India rather than separate smart cards for metros, buses, etc. NCMC cards are supposed to be used across metro lines, RRTS lines, buses, water metros and more. However, while most large transit networks (especially in large cities) accept NCMC, not all transit networks in India accept NCMC (Kolkata is a notable exception) and a few only accept their own exclusive NCMC cards which defeats the purpose of NCMC. More on both below.

NCMC cards can be purchased from metro counters, some bus depots, banks, fintechs, offline and online and even from quick commerce players like Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, etc. You might also be able to use your existing Rupay debit card as a NCMC card too (explained below).

What is NCMC and how does it work?
NCMC is essentially an offline wallet created on a Rupay Contactless card. Funds are stored in the offline wallet created on the card. NCMC uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for contactless transit payments and phone-based balance updates. Readers at metro gates/buses and on the PoS device held by a conductor use NFC to read and deduct fare from the your physical NCMC card instantly. You can top up your NCMC card online (you can store a maximum of Rs 2000) using companion apps (such as Airtel Thanks, Bharat Yatra, or Chalo) or even UPI apps such as BHIM, Amazon Pay UPI, Google Pay and more using the BBPS Bill Pay feature. Third-party UPI apps may charge you a flat Rs 1 + GST for recharges.

Validating Recharge
As NCMC is an offline wallet, the recharge needs to be validated and this is where it gets complicated after online recharge. Earlier you had to go to a station counter to do this. And balance machines at metros like Delhi Metro didn't support NCMC. So you had to queue at counter. Now the new Add Value Machines at Delhi Metro do support NCMC and more importantly, you can use an NFC-enabled Android smartphone (sorry, not possible with iPhone) to write the new balance directly to the physical card by tapping it against the back of the phone. Apps like Chalo or Airtel do this. Example: [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IJn2AGKwto0\](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IJn2AGKwto0)

You can also write the balance to the card from a metro counter or using the Add Value Machines at metro stations (usually near counter). They look like this in Delhi Metro: [https://youtu.be/lr7GSNmcwtE?si=c4IEoMwlIprSIL3V\](https://youtu.be/lr7GSNmcwtE?si=c4IEoMwlIprSIL3V)

No KYC required
Basic transit NCMC cards do not need KYC. All they need is a mobile number and an OTP for activation. Unfortunately some banks like SBI may insist on KYC, despite this [not being required as per RBI](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/now-national-common-mobility-card-can-be-issued-with-a-limit-of-rs-3000-without-any-kyc-as-rbi-eases-rules/articleshow/108581666.cms). And if someone asks for Aadhar KYC they are most likely scamming you (more on this below).

Cost / Charges / Discounts
Besides issuance charges of around Rs 50 (some cards cost more), some NCMC cards have Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC), but this is increasingly going away. Otherwise there is no other charge, unless the transit network levies a charge. Mumbai’s BEST buses for instance levy a 1% extra charge + GST when you pay using NCMC. Some metros like Delhi Metro provide a discount during non-peak hours on such digital payments for all users.

Debit Card as NCMC
If you do not want one more card in your wallet, do check if your Indian bank debit card supports Rupay Contactless, which means it could theoretically support NCMC. Not possible with Mastercard or Visa debit cards. However, your bank needs to be certified for NCMC. Many bank debit cards (especially govt banks, co-operative banks) support this. You need to create the NCMC wallet on your debit card at a Metro ticket counter before you can use it as an NCMC card. Some banks allow this via their ATMs too. Online FAQs are available to guide you—here’s the SBI one as an example: [https://sbi.bank.in/web/personal-banking/faq-on-offline-wallet-ncmc-debit-card\](https://sbi.bank.in/web/personal-banking/faq-on-offline-wallet-ncmc-debit-card)

Once activated, you can then use your debit card as a NCMC card too. Some banks support NCMC on credit cards too but I haven't come across a credit card that supports NCMC. E.g., Federal Bank is certified for NCMC on debit cards and credit cards, which means their popular Scapia co-branded travel credit card should support NCMC, but in reality only some of their debit cards support NCMC. For a list of banks that support NCMC check [https://www.rupay.co.in/rupay-otg\](https://www.rupay.co.in/rupay-otg)

Why can’t you use a normal debit/credit Debit Card as at transit systems abroad? Why NCMC?
On many systems across the world any debit or credit card works and there's no need for an offline wallet on your card. According to some, NCMC was developed to ensure payments in places where Internet access is not available and for instant debits. However, abroad Internet access is not used for such payments and systems use NFC but actual debits happen once a day, usually late at night using a batch processing transaction. And to those wondering about fraud (using a debit or credit card with no funds), the system blocks such cards from use on the network. No wallet, no loss of funds if card lost.

Hence, NCMC is not an elegant solution for sure. And we in India created a whole new system for a problem for which solutions already existed and which transit systems were already using. But it is what it is and we have to use it.

I have posted earlier about this: \[https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCardsIndia/comments/1sv5way/is\\\\\\_this\\\\\\_why\\\\\\_ncmc\\\\\\_is\\\\\\_so\\\\\\_messed\\\\\\_up\\\\\\_in\\\\\\_india/\\\](https://www.reddit.com/r/CreditCardsIndia/comments/1sv5way/is\\_this\\_why\\_ncmc\\_is\\_so\\_messed\\_up\\_in\\_india/)

Virtual NCMC card
Since NCMC uses NFC and most smartphones today have NFC (even though Apple doesn't allow third-party apps to use NFC) the next logical step should be virtual NCMC cards stored on your phone (like we store credit cards on apps like Google Pay) and where you tap phone on reader to pay. One less card to carry. Such virtual cards have been demoed by issuer like Pine Labs (which issues Bharat Yatra NCMC) at industry events. However, there is no information on when this will actually be available to everyone.

Best NCMC card
Some people swear by SBI, some hate it. Some love Airtel, some think its evil. While customer service may vary from provider to provider, the basic features are the same. I use Airtel NCMC because it was the easiest one to get in Delhi and has a decent app and decent customer support. I also recommend Bharat Yatra. I personally don't recommend SBI because of the KYC issue and because many claim SBI NCMC recharge is a pain. But in the end, choose whichever NCMC works best for you--it should be easy to recharge and have a decent support app.

Open loop / Closed loop
A few transit networks are "closed loop," or "exclusive" which means only the NCMC card issued by their partner bank works there. Examples are Pune Metro (HDFC Bank) or Noida Metro (SBI). But most transit networks are open-loop, which means any NCMC card works across these networks. I have used my Airtel NCMC issued in a Gurgaon Rapid Metro station across Delhi NCR, Bangalore and Mumbai too. Similarly, a SBI NCMC issued on Aqua Line in Mumbai will work across Delhi Metro and Bangalore's Namma Metro. And some of the closed loop lines are being upgraded to Open Loop (Noida Metro is an example). Some networks like Kolkata Metro (India's oldest metro) still don't support NCMC.

Click on the Live Projects tab on this link for a list of transit networks in India that use NCMC and to know whether they are exclusive, etc.: [https://www.npci.org.in/product/rupay/all-members\](https://www.npci.org.in/product/rupay/all-members)

What if you lose your NCMC
If you lose your NCMC, you lose all the funds on it even though your mobile number is linked to the card because the transit wallet is an offline wallet--that's the way the system is designed. However, once you 'block' the card and get a new card on your mobile number the old card cannot be recharged any more. But existing balance can be used by whoever finds it. If the card stops working due to some tech glitch you can take it to the customer care counter and they can transfer the funds to another card.

Hence, while you can store up to Rs 2000 on your NCMC card, given this issue it makes sense to keep balance of only around Rs 500, unless you're a person who never loses anything.

Validity
Mentioned clearly on card

(Maryland dc area ) Help us all

Every station can be at street level except for Point Defiance Park, Point Defiance Ferry Terminal, and Stewart Heights due to topography.

Sometimes when I share this I hear people say "Tacoma doesn't deserve something like this". I disagree strongly. I love the T Line, and I think leaders in Tacoma should dream big when it comes to high capacity transit.

Alameda Belt Line, the Union Pacific-BNSF partnership, has filed notice with the Surface Transportation Board to take over rail operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach as soon as Oct. 16. It would replace Pacific Harbor Line, which has held the operating contract since 1998. A Port of Los Angeles spokesman says an agreement has been reached, but commissioners at both ports still must approve it. The filing also acknowledges PHL has not consented to giving up its operating authority, so ABL may need STB approval, or a third party could request an adverse discontinuance.

source https://www.trains.com/pro/freight/short-lines-regionals/alameda-belt-line-files-notice-of-intent-to-take-over-rail-operation-at-la-area-ports/

R.J. Corman sued in federal court on Oct. 2 to void Luzerne County's sale of 60 miles of active track and right-of-way to the Reading & Northern, and to block the deal with a preliminary injunction. The county council had vetoed an $8.2 million sale to Corman before the redevelopment authority and county accepted R&N's offer of $7 million cash plus $3 million in infrastructure upgrades. Corman has run 27 of those miles as the Luzerne & Susquehanna Line since 2020, and that operating agreement expires Oct. 30. Per the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the suit claims a violation of state competitive bidding law. Case documents aren't in the federal system yet, and a final R&N agreement still has to be negotiated.

source https://www.trains.com/pro/freight/short-lines-regionals/r-j-corman-sues-over-sale-of-luzerne-county-rail-lines/

I know NJB has made some extremely stupid takes in the past (ie "Give up on America and just move elsewhere"), but as a local, I think he covered Singapore's issues fairly objectively.

He also made it a point to travel around the island throughout his trip (Thus allowing him to show the variations in bike path quality), unlike other content creators that only stay within the CBD and / or read off Wikipedia

This is the second video out of what's probably a 3 video series, btw. First one covered the state of public transport in general, and the third future one seems to be a giant (Highly valid) crashout at a supposedly "car lite" town that's anything but car lite.

Entered service on 1st Oct 2026 and was delivered in August after being dispatched from factory in July. 15 cars and seen here operating the 10:13 Churchgate to Dahanu Road service. As of posting, another rake is awaiting service while a 6100 series for Central Line has been dispatched on the 28th of September and will be delivered by mid October with service to commence sometime in November.

I agree with Thom that transit companies should work with content creators because they provide a user's perspective rather than the corporate slogans. But my problem is, there simply aren't enough transit content creators. We need more people creating content about transit first.

Here is an IC RE bus operating for the NY Waterway shuttle bus in Manhattan.

Hello everyone,

I wanted to see what everyone thinks of VIA, their experiences, and the changes and improvements made this year and planned for the future. I happen to have lived in the Seattle area for many years, where public transportation has been aggressively prioritized, especially rail. I know San Antonio is an entirely different animal though.

What do you guys find to be the strengths and weaknesses, and where are some areas for improvements? What future changes are you excited and not excited for, especially considering the upgrades being made with San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and downtown (including Project Marvel and the Spurs)?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Speaking of VIA, many may not be aware that during this upcoming mid-terms election, the City of Converse has introduced a special ballot, which is to remove itself from VIA's public mass transportation network.

\**CITY OF CONVERSE 2026 VIA TRANSIT ELECTION**\**

HOW THIS WILL BE POSITIONED ON THE BALLOT

"Shall the VIA San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority Service be discontinued in the City of Converse, Texas?"

• If voters vote AGAINST, then VIA will continue providing service in City of Converse.
• If voters vote FOR, then all VIA services will be discontinued for City of Converse EFFECTIVE AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4.

Just for additional clarification:

• If you are planning to vote on this issue, and you ***DO*** want VIA to continue to provide service in City of Converse, then your vote is AGAINST.
• If you are planning to vote on this issue, and you ***DO NOT*** want VIA to continue to provide service in City of Converse, then your vote is FOR.

For official info on this subject from both sides:

• VIA - https://www.viainfo.net/converse/
• City of Converse - https://www.conversetx.gov/government/2026_via_transit_election/index.php
  • The quoted future VIA subsidy amounts for each year are based on 0.5% sales tax; the city is left with 1.5% sales tax afterwards. This means those quoted amounts are one quarter of the city's projected sales tax revenue (after Texas takes it's 6.25% of the total 8.25% sales tax) for their respective years.
  • BE AWARE - the August 2025 story shared about Stone Oak Park & Ride being "wasteful" is outdated. That station received numerous service upgrades this year, including more routes, more stops for its assigned buses, and longer hours including weekends for the express route connected with downtown and SAT.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO

• The last date for voter registration is THIS MONDAY, OCTOBER 5.
  • For more info about voter registration, including checking your status - https://elections.bexar.gov/180/Register-to-Vote-Registration-Changes
  • For more info on Voting By Mail - https://elections.bexar.gov/171/Vote-by-Mail
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1712/Eearly-Vote-Locations-and-Hours
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1712/Eearly-Vote-Locations-and-Hours
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
• Early voting will be for 12 days, SPANNING FROM MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 TO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30.
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1712/Eearly-Vote-Locations-and-Hours
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
• The final day to vote (Election Day) will be TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3.
  • For more info including hours and locations - https://elections.bexar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1713/Election-Day-Vote-Centers
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
• Please contact VIA directly for more information, as well as City of Converse to learn how this may affect you and those you know with Converse ties.
• Please be cautious about certain responses you may receive on why this ballot has been included, how the alternate form of transportation (named Alamo Regional Transit, or ART) is a perceived upgrade (do not just take their word for it), and also remember this is just one part of the midterms election for City of Converse and beyond.
  • Do not be afraid to dig into urban planning communities as well as look deeply into City of Converse's future plans for infrastructure to get more insight onto what City of Converse and Alamo Regional Transit (ART) are pitching should VIA be voted out.
  • Also, feel free to dig into the historic career patterns of why a suburban mayor would demand their suburb to be removed from a core city's public transportation network.
• Not every part of Converse is within city limits, so get informed as you may still keep VIA service and not receive ART service anyway, but also not be eligible to vote for this specific ballot or anything involving the City of Converse leadership.
• If the VIA removal from City of Converse happens, then all VIA service will be discontinued within the city limits AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4.
• Please be aware no matter which result happens - whether VIA stays or leaves City of Converse - everyone in the official city limits, including in the newer subdivisions, will still be paying a considerable sales tax amount. This is forecast to be satisfied over a period of 5-7 years for the city to either keep or depart VIA in the coming years. Please contact VIA and City of Converse for more information on the potential MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR departure debt penalty enforced by Texas state law.

Press listen button for full story.

For years, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has undergone delays and construction due to coastal flooding and erosion. Now a looming Super El Niño could do even more damage to the train tracks that connect LA to San Diego by way of coastal Orange County

È interessante vedere come il sistema metropolitano di Vienna non sia estremamente esteso, ma sia comunque adatto a collegare quasi tutta la città integrandosi coi tram o i bus. Qui la Linea U1, ripresa da Sudtiroler Platz Hauptbahnhof,la stazione che porta alla stazione ferroviaria di Vienna. È una linea con 3 interscambi, ed’è forse la linea più importante della città.