HRTC Him Bus Plus Card: Apply Online, Fee, Discount, Eligibility & Last Date

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has introduced the Him Bus Plus Card, a new annual travel card that replaces the existing Green Card, Yellow Card and Samman Card. Instead of maintaining separate concession cards, eligible passengers will now use a single card with category-wise fare discounts.

The card costs ₹365 per year, which is approximately ₹1 per day. Depending on the passenger category, it offers a 5% to 15% concession on HRTC bus fares.

If you already have a Green, Yellow or Samman Card, you should apply for the new Him Bus Plus Card within the transition period announced by HRTC. The corporation has provided a one-month window for replacing the existing cards with the new unified card.

Quick Facts

Do Not Confuse the Him Bus Plus Card with the Him Bus Card

HRTC currently offers two different travel cards with similar names, but they serve different purposes. Before applying, make sure you choose the correct one.

Which card should you choose?

• If you currently use a Green Card, Yellow Card or Samman Card, you should apply for the new Him Bus Plus Card during the transition period announced by HRTC.
• If you belong to one of the concession categories covered under the Him Bus Card scheme, continue using or apply for the Him Bus Card as per HRTC guidelines.

Although the names are similar, the eligibility conditions and benefits of the two cards are different. Check your category carefully before submitting an application.

Transition Period for Existing Card Holders

HRTC has announced a one-month transition period for replacing the existing Green Card, Yellow Card and Samman Card with the new Him Bus Plus Card.

The rollout started from HRTC bus stands and depot offices across Himachal Pradesh during the first week of August 2026. Existing card holders are advised to complete the replacement process within the period announced by HRTC.

Keep these points in mind:

• If you already have a Green Card, Yellow Card or Samman Card, apply for the Him Bus Plus Card without waiting until the last date.
• Applications are currently being accepted at HRTC bus stands and depot offices. HRTC has also announced that an online application facility will be introduced.
• Before visiting, confirm the last date with your nearest HRTC depot or bus stand, as the corporation may revise or extend the transition schedule through an official notification.

Benefits of the Him Bus Plus Card

The Him Bus Plus Card brings the benefits of the earlier Green, Yellow and Samman Cards under a single annual card. Once issued, eligible passengers can use the same card to avail fare concessions as per the category notified by HRTC.

• Fare concession from 5% to 15%, depending on the eligible passenger category.
• One-year validity from the date of issue.
• Single annual card replacing the Green Card, Yellow Card and Samman Card.
• Smart card-based verification for availing notified concessions during travel.

Is the ₹365 annual fee worth paying?

That depends on how frequently you travel and the concession applicable to your category.

For example, if your usual bus fare is ₹100 and your applicable concession is 10%, you save ₹10 on every trip.

At that rate, you recover the annual card fee after approximately 37 one-way trips during the year.

• If you travel regularly, the savings can exceed the annual card fee.
• If you travel only occasionally, compare your expected annual savings with the ₹365 fee before applying.
• Passengers travelling on longer routes generally save more because the concession is calculated on the applicable fare.

Cards Replaced by the Him Bus Plus Card

The Him Bus Plus Card has been introduced to replace the existing Green Card, Yellow Card and Samman Card.

What has changed?

Instead of maintaining separate concession cards with different rules, HRTC has introduced a single Him Bus Plus Card. The annual fee has been standardised at ₹365, while the concession available depends on the passenger category covered under the new scheme.

According to HRTC, the objective is to simplify the concession system by replacing multiple travel cards with a unified smart card.

Before applying, compare the benefits that applied to your previous card with the concession available under the Him Bus Plus Card. This will help you understand how the new system affects your regular travel.

If You Already Have a Green, Yellow or Samman Card

HRTC has started replacing the existing Green Card, Yellow Card and Samman Card with the new Him Bus Plus Card. If you currently hold any of these cards, complete the replacement process within the transition period announced by HRTC.

1. Check your current card. Note its validity period and keep it with you before visiting the HRTC counter.
2. Visit your nearest HRTC bus stand or depot. Card replacement is currently being carried out through HRTC counters. An online application facility has also been announced.
3. Carry the required documents. Take your existing Green, Yellow or Samman Card along with a valid identity proof and any other documents requested by HRTC.
4. Confirm the replacement process. Before submitting your application, ask the counter staff about the applicable fee, documents, and the procedure for issuing the new Him Bus Plus Card.
5. Collect and keep the acknowledgement. Preserve the payment receipt or acknowledgement until you receive your new card.

How to Apply for the Him Bus Plus Card

Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has started issuing the Him Bus Plus Card through its bus stands and depot offices across the state. HRTC has also announced that an online application facility will be introduced. Until it becomes available, passengers should apply offline.

Offline Application at an HRTC Bus Stand or Depot

This is the only officially available method at present.

1. Visit your nearest HRTC bus stand or depot. You can locate your nearest HRTC office through the official HRTC website.
2. Ask for the Him Bus Plus Card application. Mention the complete card name to avoid confusion with the Him Bus Card.
3. Carry the required documents. Keep a valid photo ID, a recent passport-size photograph and, if applicable, your existing Green Card, Yellow Card or Samman Card.
4. Complete the application form. Fill in your personal details carefully and submit it along with the required documents.
5. Pay the prescribed annual fee. Deposit ₹365 using the payment method accepted at the HRTC counter.
6. Collect the acknowledgement. Keep the payment receipt safely until your card is issued.
7. Check the card before leaving. Verify your name, photograph and other printed details. Report any error immediately to the issuing counter.

Online Application

HRTC has announced that the Him Bus Plus Card will also be available through an online application facility. The detailed online process has not yet been released officially.

Once launched, the application link is expected to be available on the official HRTC website. If the service is integrated with the existing online bus pass system, applicants may also be redirected through the HRTC Bus Pass Portal, where eligible services currently use HIMACCESS for login and identity verification.

The online process is expected to include the following steps once activated:

1. Open the official HRTC website or the notified application portal.
2. Sign in using your HIMACCESS ID, if required.
3. Select the Him Bus Plus Card service.
4. Fill in the online application form.
5. Upload the required documents, if requested.
6. Pay the prescribed fee online.
7. Submit the application and save the acknowledgement or application number for future reference.

Important: Since the online facility has only been announced and is not yet operational, passengers who need the card immediately should apply at the nearest HRTC bus stand or depot instead of waiting for the online service.

National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)

Along with the Him Bus Plus Card, HRTC also offers the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) under the Government of India's One Nation, One Card initiative. Although both cards are available through HRTC, they serve different purposes.

The Him Bus Plus Card is a concession card, whereas the NCMC is a prepaid payment card. One helps you save on eligible HRTC fares, while the other lets you make cashless travel payments across multiple transport systems.

According to HRTC, it became the first State Transport Undertaking (STU) in India to introduce the National Common Mobility Card for its passengers.

If you frequently travel outside Himachal Pradesh or use metro systems and city buses in other states that support NCMC, this card can be useful as a common payment instrument.

Remember: The NCMC does not replace the Him Bus Plus Card. The two cards serve different purposes and can be used together.

Which HRTC Card Should You Choose?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for the wrong card. The Him Bus Card, Him Bus Plus Card and National Common Mobility Card are three different products. Confirm which one matches your eligibility before applying.
• Waiting until the last few days. Existing Green, Yellow and Samman Card holders should complete the replacement process within the transition period announced by HRTC.
• Not carrying your existing card. If you are replacing an old card, take it with you while applying for the Him Bus Plus Card.
• Ignoring the remaining validity of your existing card. Ask the HRTC counter how your current card will be treated during replacement, especially if it is still valid.
• Leaving the counter without checking your new card. Verify your name, photograph and other printed details before leaving.
• Misplacing the payment receipt. Keep your acknowledgement safely until the new card is issued or activated.
• Waiting for the online application if you need the card immediately. Since the offline facility is already available, visit the nearest HRTC bus stand or depot instead of delaying your application.