Maha Mumbai Metro has recorded the highest share of WhatsApp ticketing in India’s metro networks, with 19 per cent of all tickets now being booked through the messaging platform. The development reflects a growing shift towards digital mobility solutions in the financial capital.
The WhatsApp-based ticketing system was launched in October 2024 by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and has quickly gained traction among commuters. The system allows users to book and receive QR code tickets directly through WhatsApp, bypassing long queues and the need for additional mobile apps. According to MMRDA officials, this innovation is part of a larger push to modernise urban transport. “With WhatsApp ticketing at the forefront, we are fulfilling our vision of ‘Mumbai in Minutes’ — a city where travel is seamless, smart and sustainable,” said Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, metropolitan commissioner, MMRDA. Currently, digital ticketing accounts for 65 per cent of total metro ticket sales in Mumbai. Of this, 44 per cent use the National Common Mobility Card, 19 per cent prefer WhatsApp, and 2 per cent use the official metro app. The remaining 35 per cent of commuters still opt for paper QR tickets.
The emphasis on WhatsApp ticketing underlines MMRDA’s strategy to make public transport more commuter-friendly and technologically advanced. With over a billion WhatsApp users in India, the integration offers a familiar, accessible, and time-efficient option for daily travel. Alongside the tech adoption, the metro system itself is seeing a surge in ridership. Maha Mumbai Metro recorded a new peak of 2,92,575 passengers in a single day on Lines 2A and 7. Stations like Andheri West and Gundavali emerged as the busiest, both in terms of footfall and digital ticket use. Officials believe the ease of digital access will not only improve commuter experience but also boost public transport adoption in Mumbai — one of the world’s most densely populated cities. “Our commitment remains strong in putting the commuter at the centre of every innovation,” the MMRDA said in its statement.
With continued investment in infrastructure and smart mobility, the Maha Mumbai Metro appears well on its way to setting new benchmarks for urban transport in India.
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Maha Mumbai Metro Hits Digital Ticketing High
