How to Get a T-Cash Card in Punjab for Metrobus and Orange Line: Rs 275 in Total
Get a T-Cash card for Metrobus and Orange Line in Punjab: apply on the portal, app or 1762, pay Rs 275 in total, collect it within 10 days. See the steps.
Short answer: Apply for the T-Cash card on the Punjab eTransit portal or app, or call 1762. The Punjab Masstransit Authority lists the total cost as Rs 275: Rs 130 for the card, Rs 130 for delivery and Rs 15 as a service charge. You then collect it from the station you chose.
A paper ticket at a Metrobus gate is slow. A queue builds, someone has no change, and the person behind you sighs. One tap on a card ends all of that.
We read the Punjab Masstransit Authority (PMA) pages on the T-Cash card, its FAQ and its fare policy on 14 October 2026. We could not open the application form itself, because it needs a browser with JavaScript. So the steps below follow what the authority describes, and you should expect the screens to look a little different.
The T-Cash card pays for every PMA service
T-Cash is a rechargeable smart card for fares on Metrobus, the Orange Line train, Speedo buses, Electro buses and other linked services in Punjab. The authority also says it works as a debit card for everyday payments, so one card can do two jobs.
You are not forced to use it. The authority lists three ways to pay a fare: the T-Cash card, a QR code, or the eTransit mobile app. Babies and infants ride free. A card is simply the quickest option when you travel every day.
If you only want to see the route and the fare for your trip, start with the Lahore Orange Line timings, fare and stations. Come back here when you decide a card is worth it.
You need a CNIC and must be 18 or older
Anyone who uses public transport in Punjab can apply. The authority says applicants are checked through NADRA and must meet State Bank of Pakistan rules. Its FAQ adds that you must be 18 or older with a valid CNIC. Minors may travel on a guardian's card.
Keep your CNIC number ready, and make sure the mobile number you give is one you can answer. We could not confirm from the pages which other details the form asks for.
Apply on the portal, in the app or by phone
There are three ways to apply: the official web portal at etransit.punjab.gov.pk, the eTransit mobile app, or the helpline 1762, where an agent fills in the form with you. During the application you choose the station where you will collect the card.
- Open the eTransit portal or app, or call 1762.
- Enter your CNIC details so the system can verify you through NADRA.
- Pick the station where you want to collect the card.
- Pay the Rs 275 total, which covers the card, delivery and the service charge.
- Collect the card from that station within 10 days.
The authority says the app also lets you apply for a Student T-Cash card. We did not read the student rules, so check them in the app before you apply.
The total is Rs 275, not Rs 130
The card page shows a standard issuance fee of Rs 130. The FAQ page breaks the full bill into three parts: Rs 130 for the card, Rs 130 for delivery and Rs 15 for the payment service. That makes Rs 275 in total.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Card fee | Rs 130 |
| Delivery charge | Rs 130 |
| PayZen service charge | Rs 15 |
| Total | Rs 275 |
| Duplicate for a lost or damaged card | Rs 275 |
Do not stop at the first figure you see. Budget for Rs 275, and top up the card with fare money on top of it.
Collect it within 10 days and check the status
The card waits at the station you chose for 10 days. If you do not collect it in that time, the authority says it may be returned or need to be processed again. You can check progress on the portal, in the app, or by calling 1762.
When you have the card, look at the expiry date printed on it. The authority says you can ask for a renewal or replacement when it expires. If a gate will not read your card, ask the station staff or call 1762.
Fares depend on where you ride. The authority lists Rs 30 a trip on Lahore and Rawalpindi Metrobus and Rs 25 on Multan Metrobus, and you must leave the system within one hour and 15 minutes of tapping in. Feeder buses cost Rs 20 for one journey when you hold a Metrobus card, and Orange Line fares run from Rs 25 to Rs 45 by distance. For the wider picture of buses and timings, see the Metro Bus fare and timings guide.
One caution. Fares and fees can change, so confirm the figure on the authority's page on the day you apply.
Common questions
How much is a T-Cash card in Punjab?
The authority lists Rs 275 in total: Rs 130 for the card, Rs 130 for delivery and Rs 15 for the service charge.
Can I apply for a T-Cash card by phone?
Yes. Call 1762 and an agent helps you complete the application. You can also apply on the portal or in the eTransit app.
How long do I have to collect my T-Cash card?
The card is held at your chosen station for 10 days. After that it may be returned or need reprocessing.
What if I lose my T-Cash card?
The authority says a duplicate card costs Rs 275. Ask for it through the same channels, or call 1762.
Can my child use a T-Cash card?
Applicants must be 18 or older with a valid CNIC. The authority says minors may use a guardian's card, and infants ride free.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 14 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read the Punjab Masstransit Authority pages on the T-Cash card, its frequently asked questions and its fare policy. We could not open the application form, so we have not confirmed how many days delivery takes or what the student card needs. Check both in the app before you pay.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
