6 Monorails defunct, commuters fume over frequency

It has been a month since Mumbai Monorail got fully operational, but the commuters grievances has not come to an end. Commuters still complain of long waiting time, no monthly passes or option to pay via digital mode. Long list of complains include no sitting arrangement at Monorail station of second phase between Wadala and Mahalaxmi. Out of the total ten trains, only four trains are working, resulting in long waiting time. There have been times when two trains out of four have been sent for maintenance, resulting in frequency going up to 45 minutes. Further, commuters also have been complaining of MMRDA not issuing any fixed time-table for running the services.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had claimed to run 131 trips daily between Chembur and Mahalaxmi between its operational hours of 6 am to 10 pm. But MMRDA has yet not shared the number of trips that were cancelled or were delayed due to trains being grounded due to routine maintenance or technical breakdowns.

The ridership of Monorail for the first month has been around 5.55 lakh, generating revenue of around Rs 96 lakh. Out of the total 17 Monorail stations, Chembur, Bharat Petroluem near Chembur, Mahalaxmi, Wadala Bridge and Lower Parel Monorail station get the maximum ridership when it comes to handling passengers.

Meanwhile, in order to increase ridership and cut-down losses, MMRDA will have to ensure more trains. The MMRDA currently is also carrying out tendering process for buying set of new three trains for which around three companies have shown interest.

GRIEVANCES

• Commuters complain of long waiting time, no monthly passes or option to pay via digital mode 
   
• The long list of complains include no sitting arrangement at Monorail stations