Western Railway Launches Major Crackdown on Ticketless Commuters with Pre-Custody Areas and Bodycams
Mumbai’s Western Railway (WR) has introduced a significant measure to curb the growing issue of ticketless travel on local trains. The railways are creating ‘pre-custody areas’ at prominent stations along the Churchgate-Virar-Dahanu suburban corridor, which will serve as holding zones for ticketless commuters who refuse to pay fines or engage in arguments with ticket-checking staff. Additionally, WR has begun trial runs with body-worn cameras for ticket checkers, aimed at improving the enforcement of fare collection and creating a database of habitual offenders.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by Western Railway to streamline its ticket-checking operations, enhance passenger compliance, and ultimately improve overall operational efficiency. The pre-custody areas, currently being trialled at stations such as Borivali and Andheri, aim to ensure that ticketless passengers do not evade fines or cause unnecessary delays during routine checks. The railway has observed that ticketless travellers who resist paying fines often create disruptions, consuming valuable time and resources. The pre-custody areas are designed to hold these individuals temporarily while additional staff processes the situation, which could lead to issuing memos or even involving the Railway Protection Force (RPF) if required.
On January 23, Western Railway’s pilot drive yielded significant results, with over 7,300 commuters caught without tickets, resulting in ₹32.16 lakh in fines. The body cameras, priced at ₹10,000 each, are being used to document every interaction with the offenders, capturing their names, mobile numbers, and other relevant details. This data will not only serve as evidence under the Railway Act but will also help identify habitual offenders by tracking recurring violations. The ultimate goal is to create a digital record of repeat offenders, making it easier to impose higher fines or take further action against those who regularly travel without tickets.
Western Railway’s implementation of bodycams and pre-custody areas is a significant shift towards leveraging technology for improved compliance, transparency, and public safety. By equipping ticket checkers with these tools, the railway aims to reduce the incidence of ticketless travel while enhancing the credibility of its enforcement measures. Moreover, these initiatives will likely have a broader impact on Mumbai’s urban transport landscape, contributing to cleaner, safer, and more efficient travel for the city’s millions of commuters.
Sustainability and Impact on Commuter Behaviour
While the immediate goal of these initiatives is to reduce fare evasion, the long-term impact could be felt on the wider sustainability of Mumbai’s local transport system. The reduction of ticketless travel helps maintain a more equitable fare system, ensuring that revenue is not compromised. The revenue generated from these fines can be reinvested into improving infrastructure, which, in turn, benefits the entire network. Additionally, by documenting ticketless travellers and discouraging repeat offenders, WR aims to foster a more responsible commuter culture.
From an environmental and civic perspective, this crackdown also serves to encourage compliance with the broader goal of sustainable urban mobility. By ensuring that every commuter pays for their travel, the system becomes financially more stable, allowing Western Railway to fund eco-friendly initiatives like cleaner trains, better waste management, and green infrastructure. As Mumbai grows, these measures will contribute to a more organised, responsible, and environmentally-conscious transit system that reflects the evolving needs of the city’s urbanisation and sustainability goals.
In Conclusion: A Step Forward for Mumbai’s Railway System
The introduction of pre-custody areas and body cameras by Western Railway signals a major shift in the way ticketless travel is handled. It is not just about enforcing fines—it is about creating a system where the rights of honest commuters are respected, and fare evasion is reduced to a minimum. While there may be challenges along the way, the strategic use of technology and a focus on creating an accountable transport system positions Mumbai’s railways for a more efficient and sustainable future.