Western Railway (WR) has intensified efforts to curb ticketless travel in its air-conditioned (AC) local trains by deploying dedicated ticket checking squads. Since the initiative began on May 23, over 6,899 ticketless passengers have been caught and fines totalling ₹20.97 lakh have been collected as of July 2. On average, a team of 15 squads checks more than 168 passengers daily, working 7 to 9 hours a day, including during peak hours.
Ticketless Travel Surge Disrupts AC Local Services on Western Railway
In the past week alone, 564 offenders were caught, with many being found during the morning rush between Virar and Dadar (7:15 am to 10:15 am) and in the evening on the Dadar-Bhayandar route (6 pm to 9 pm). The daily average of ticketless passengers caught rose to 189 in the last week of June, indicating a rising trend.
WR runs 1,406 services daily, of which 109 are AC local trains. The squads were formed after it was found that 10% of AC trains were being delayed by 8–12 minutes on average due to overcrowding and passengers obstructing train doors. Ticketless commuters were also found hanging from footboards, causing delays and compromising safety.
Western Railways Targets AC Train Delays with Ticket Checks
The punctuality of AC locals dropped to 86%, compared to 94% for non-AC trains, with delays often worsening during rush hours. These delays disrupted the suburban train timetable and increased commuter dissatisfaction.
The initiative has been well-received by paying passengers and railway associations. Kailash Verma, president of the Maharashtra Railway Commuters Council, praised the move, stating that ticketless passengers had become a nuisance for genuine commuters, often occupying reserved AC seating without authorization. With the expansion of squads over the next two weeks, WR aims to improve punctuality, ensure fairness, and restore order in AC train compartments.
Summary:
Western Railway’s ticket checking drive on AC locals caught over 6,899 ticketless passengers, collecting ₹20.97 lakh in fines since May 23. Delays caused by overcrowding and unauthorized travel dropped AC train punctuality to 86%. The initiative aims to restore order, with strong support from passengers and commuter associations.
