Mumbai: Central Railway’s Mumbai Division recently carried out a dedicated ticket-checking campaign targeting First Class coaches on suburban trains, which received overwhelming support from commuters.
During the drive, nearly a thousand instances of irregular travel were detected, and ticket sale revenue increased by ten percent in the covered section.
"Conducted between June 16 and June 25, the drive aimed to curb unauthorized travel and enhance the experience for genuine first class passengers" said an official.
According to a senior officer, the 10 day campaign identified 1008 cases of irregular or unauthorized travel in the first class coaches, resulting in the collection of Rs 3.25 lakh in penalties. The initiative also led to a noticeable uptick in the revenue from ticket sales—over 10%—at stations within the inspected sections, underscoring the campaign’s strong deterrent effect.
Prompted by a rise in complaints about misuse of first class coaches, the Mumbai Division deployed dedicated squads of 41 ticket-checking staff and 7 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel per shift. These teams conducted comprehensive checks during peak morning and evening hours across 110 suburban services on the Main, Harbour, and Trans-Harbour lines.
“The objective was to ensure fairness, safety, and a better commuting experience for legitimate first class passengers,” a Central Railway official explained. “The drop in complaints and positive feedback from commuters reflect the success of our approach.”
"The drive's visible enforcement during high-traffic hours discouraged ticketless travel and promoted a sense of order. Many commuters noted an improvement in crowd management and proper use of first class amenities. In some cases, passengers even assisted officials by pointing out violators" further added official.
Naresh Sahani (40), a frequent first class commuter from Kharghar, said, “It was reassuring to finally see regular checks being carried out. It makes you feel like the premium you pay for First Class is respected and protected.”
Encouraged by the success of the initiative, an official from the Central Railways Mumbai division said that the drive will continue, with ticket checks also planned during rush hours in the coming weeks to ensure its success. The confidence of all members of the dedicated squad has increased, and they are now working with greater energy and enthusiasm.
“The main aim of the ticket-checking drive is to create a deterrent effect among habitual offenders and to boost revenue from ticket sales. The drive has been successful in both aspects,” the official added.
