Mumbai’s Western Railway has launched a focused crackdown on ticketless travel in air-conditioned (AC) local trains, achieving notable improvements in train punctuality and passenger experience. Over the past week, a dedicated squad of 15 officials has intensified ticket inspections on these premium services, leading to the collection of fines from over 700 fare evaders. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure equitable, efficient, and sustainable urban transit across the city.
The costlier AC local trains in Mumbai, priced at approximately five times the standard local fare, have traditionally faced crowding issues during peak hours, primarily due to passengers boarding without valid tickets. This has resulted in delays at stations because of prolonged door closures caused by overcrowding. According to railway officials, around 10 per cent of daily train delays — typically ranging between 40 to 50 instances — stem from AC locals being held up at platforms, affecting the entire Western Railway network’s schedule. Unlike regular local trains, the doors of AC locals are controlled by the train guard from a centralised control panel within the cabin. Any obstruction in door closure halts the departure sequence, often leading to average delays of up to 10 minutes during rush hours. The recent anti-fare evasion campaign aims to alleviate this bottleneck by discouraging unauthorised travel and reducing platform congestion.
Between May 30 and June 5, the enforcement squad fined 709 ticketless travellers, generating over ₹2.30 lakh in penalties. Railway officials have confirmed plans to expand the squad to maintain consistent monitoring, anticipating a continued positive impact on operational punctuality and passenger comfort. The Western Railway network manages approximately 1,406 trains daily, including 109 AC local services on weekdays and 65 on weekends. Given the premium pricing of AC locals, these trains are designed to offer a more comfortable and sustainable commuting option, contributing towards the city’s goals for zero carbon emissions and enhanced public transport quality. Ensuring that fare collection is rigorous and fair supports these objectives by encouraging revenue integrity and service reliability.
Experts from the Western Railway’s operations department highlighted that the crackdown is not just about revenue protection but also about ensuring fair access to these environmentally friendly transit options. Overcrowding, particularly by ticketless commuters, undermines the intended benefits of AC trains, such as reduced congestion in non-AC compartments and a more pleasant travel experience, especially for women, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers. The initiative aligns with Mumbai’s broader vision of developing an equitable and gender-neutral transport ecosystem. By enforcing ticketing compliance, the Western Railway also aims to improve train turnover times, reduce energy wastage from extended platform halts, and reinforce a culture of accountability among daily commuters.
Railway officials are exploring the integration of advanced digital ticketing solutions and automated fare collection systems to further enhance compliance and convenience. Until such systems are fully operational, manual inspections and fines remain a crucial tool to combat fare evasion. This proactive approach reflects a shift in railway operations towards sustainability and passenger-centric service delivery. It underscores the importance of collective responsibility in supporting public transport infrastructure that not only meets commuter needs but also contributes to Mumbai’s environmental goals by encouraging the use of public transit over private vehicles.
The success of this crackdown may also inspire similar initiatives across other metropolitan railway zones in India, promoting a nationwide standard for fare compliance and transit efficiency. The focus on AC locals is especially significant given their higher fare structure and their role in attracting middle-income passengers to cleaner and more comfortable travel options. As Mumbai continues to expand and modernise its suburban railway network, initiatives like these are pivotal in maintaining service standards and fostering sustainable urban mobility. Keeping trains punctual and reducing fare evasion will enhance public trust and encourage greater adoption of eco-friendly transport alternatives, ultimately supporting the city’s ambitions to be a zero-net-carbon metropolis.
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