MUMBAI: Western Railway's drive against unauthorized travel has started paying dividends, as the number of passengers buying tickets each day has increased by as much as 38,000. Western Railway earned Rs 10.83 crore from various forms of ticketing between November 21-26. Passengers too increased by 2.26 lakh during that particular period.
A senior official said, "We will intensify the drive so that revenue increases. It will also bring relief to first class commuters or those in coaches reserved for the handicapped, as many without valid tickets enter them."
The first such drive was...
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at Borivli station, with fortress check extending 36 hours on November 19-20. The drive included checks on trains as well as at stations between Borivli and Virar.
The official said, "The divisional railway manager and senior divisional commercial manager were among officials on the spot, monitoring the drive. It yielded Rs 9.14 lakh from more than 4,200 cases of unauthorized travel."
At Andheri, WR earned Rs 9.17 lakh from fines on November 27, the highest on a single day. The drive was also carried out at Churchgate station.
Around 35 lakh passengers travel each day between Churchgate and Dahanu.
An official said, "There is no reason for people to travel ticketless as WR has set up smart card-operated automated ticket vending machines and coupon validating machines. We have also ensured that most booking windows remain open to prevent long queues."
WR plans to take up stations like Dadar, Vile Parle and Mumbai Central in a few days.
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