Public transport in Mumbai

A traffic intersection in Mumbai.

Map, railway lines, ports and airports (Click to enlarge)

Ferry between Versova and Madh Island

Public transport in Mumbai involves the transport of millions of its citizens by train, road and water. Over 88% of the commuters in Mumbai use public transport (suburban trains & buses). It is the most convenient, efficient and cheap form of transport to a population which is dense to such an extent. Mumbai has the largest organised bus transport network among major Indian cities. But the Mumbai suburban railway network is constantly struggling to cope with the growing population. A train compartment is usually filled with over three times its designed capacity.

History

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST)

Before 1920

The Bombay Tramway Company Limited was formally set up in 1873. After a contract was entered into between the Bombay Tramway Company and the municipality, the Bombay Presidency enacted the Bombay Tramways Act, 1874, under which the Company was licensed to run a tramway service in the city. The tram-cars were of two kinds; those drawn by one horse and those drawn by two. In 1905, a newly formed concern, The Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company Limited, bought the Bombay Tramway Company and the first electrically operated tram-car appeared on Bombay's roads in 1907. The passing years aggravated the problem of rush-hour traffic and to ease the situation, double decker trams were introduced in September, 1920.

1920–1940

Bombay saw its first bus run on 15 July 1926 between Afghan Church and Crawford Market. The people of Bombay received the bus with enthusiasm, but it took quite some time before this means of conveyance really established itself. For several years, it was looked upon as transport for the upper middle class. Those were the days when the tram was the poor man's transport; it carried one all the way from Sassoon Dock to Dadar. The bus fare for the same journey was 25 paise.

In response to the pleas made by the Government and the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the company extended its services to the northern part of the city in 1934. Double decker buses were introduced in 1937 in order to cope better with the growing traffic. The first limited bus service in Bombay, and probably the first in the country as well, started running in 1940 between Colaba and Mahim.

Post 1940

BEST- double deckered bus

BEST Bus in Mumbai

Pursuant to the option given to it under the deed of concession granted to the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Co. Ltd, the Bombay Municipal Corporation acquired on 7 August 1947, the assets of the combined undertaking, namely the operation of tramways and distribution of electricity in the city of Bombay as a going concern. By mutual agreement, the corporation also took over the operation of the bus services, which was run by the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Company.

Thus, the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Company was municipalised and came to be known as Bombay Electric Supply & Transport.

When the corporation took over the company in 1947, there were 242 buses in operation on 23 routes and these buses carried 238,000 passengers per day. At present, there are 4680 buses carrying 480,000 passengers daily on 400+ routes. With the change in the name of the city from Bombay to Mumbai, the organisation is now known as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST).

Some interesting facts of present-day BEST bus:

• BEST has introduced AC Kinglong services on certain routes.
• From 19 November 2004, route SPL-8 plying from Churchgate to World Trade Centre started accepting cashless smart cards for automatic fare collection in BEST buses.
• BEST currently has 1500+ environment friendly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses on its fleet and plans to increase the number of buses.
• Due to the 7/11 bombings, BEST installed an audio-visual surveillance system (CCTV) on each of its buses to monitor suspicious behaviour aboard its vehicles.
• Almost all buses have two LCD TV's per bus. BEST buses are most maintained buses.
• AC buses are very popular with office goers. AC bus "AS-4" from Oshiwara Depot to Backbay Depot, is the highest income grosser for BEST. "AS-4" is the most popular bus with morning office goers, as it covers a distance of about 30 km from Andheri to Mantralaya in about one and half hours only.

Primary Systems

Mumbai's public transport primarily comprises the famed suburban railway lines, the bus services of the three municipalities making up the metropolitan area, public cabs / taxis and auto rickshaws, as well as ferry services.

• Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) has a fleet of single & double decker buses and AC Kinglong buses as well.
• Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) operates their AC Volvo buses from Navi Mumbai to Bandra, Dadar & Borivali and non ac buses from Navi Mumbai to Mulund (East & West).
• Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) operates their buses from Thane to Mulund and Borivali.

• Suburban Trains:
  • Western railway, running between Churchgate and Dahanu Road.
  • Central railway, running between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Kasara / Khopoli.
  • Harbour railway, running between Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and Panvel / Andheri.
  • A new line has been introduced the Trans-Harbour line from Thane to Vashi / Panvel.

• Taxi / Auto rickshaw:
  • Black and yellow metered taxis.
  • White and Red metered Taxis known as Radio Cabs.
  • Silver-Green run by Meru and Yellow-Red by Gold cabs and Black by Mega cabs.
  • Blue and silver AC metered taxis known as Cool Cabs.
  • Black and yellow metered auto rickshaws which are not allowed in the central area (between Colaba & Mahim in the West and Colaba and Sion in the East) of the city.

• Waterway services:
  • Ferry services connect Vashi (in Navi Mumbai) to the Gateway of India.
  • Ferry services are available to visit Elephanta Caves and to nearby places such as Alibaug, Rewas and Mandwa.
  • Ferry services is also available in northern Mumbai, across the Manori creek. The barges operate at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking Manori to Malad.
  • Ferry also connects Versova and Madh island.

Railway Network

Mumbai Suburban Railway, the lifeline of Mumbai

Newly built Andheri Station East Side

The Mumbai suburban railway is the oldest in Asia, it was founded in 1867. It is owned by Indian railways and is operated by western railways and central railways. With a length of 303 km, it has highest passenger density in the world, 6.3 million people daily which is more than half of Indian railways daily carrying capacity utilized by Mumbai. It has three lines - western, central & harbour line.

These suburban trains are popularly known as Locals and they run from 4 AM till 1 AM. Mumbai suburban services have various such designations (not all of them official, but in wide use). A 'fast local' is essentially one that is fast (runs express, skipping stops) until a certain station, and from that station onward runs like a local, e.g., the Virar fast train runs express to Borivli, and then from there on is a local. The Karjat fast train is an express until Kalyan.

The term 'superfast' is sometimes used too, e.g., for trains that skip stations to reach Virar early in the down direction so they are available earlier to carry more passengers in the up direction later. On western railway lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to one that runs as an express until Bandra or Andheri. A 'double-fast' is one that runs as an express for an even longer stretch compared to the 'fast' services. On central railway lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to any train that runs as an express to Kalyan, or until its terminus. There used to be a Kalyan fast that ran non-stop from Ghatkopar to CST. The term 'semi-fast' is sometimes applied to trains that run express until Thane. The term 'bada-fast' (Hindi 'bada'= big) was used for services running express between Borivli - Bandra - Marine Lines, and is sometimes synonymous with 'double-fast'. The term 'triple-fast' has been reported (from a long time back) for express services between Dahisar and Marine Lines.

In 1992, Mumbai's WR and CR introduced 'Ladies Special' trains. A complete ladies special train has all its coaches reserved for women passengers. A semi ladies special is a train with a few (e.g., 3) coaches reserved for women. These designations can be combined with 'fast', 'slow', etc., so you have terms such as 'Slow Ladies Special', etc.

Metro

Line 1 & 2 of the Mumbai Metro

Main article: Mumbai Metro

Mumbai currently has an extensive commuter rail system (the Mumbai Suburban Railway). However, it is not built to rapid transit specifications.

In May 2003, the original Mumbai rapid-transit plan was updated to include an elevated 10-km LRT system, to be built between Andheri and Ghatkopar via Asalpha, Marol, Chakala and Saki Naka.

In January 2004, a master transit plan, including a 146 kilometer metro, was unveiled by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The plan integrated a 146 kilometer-long metro system, of which 32 km is underground.

In June 2004, government approval was given for a 13-station elevated light rail line between Ghatkopar and Versova. The foundation stone-laying ceremony was held on 21 June 2006. The line was initially expected to open in 2008.

However, work on the 11-km Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor, which comes under Phase-I, has begun on February 8, 2008 itself. Construction of the route is expected to be completed in three years.

Monorail

Main article: Mumbai Monorail

The Mumbai Monorail is an under construction monorail system for the city of Mumbai. It is being contracted by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority and it will be the first monorail in India

There are four lines proposed. The first two are 25 kilometres (16 mi) long. Out of the two, construction on the first line has begun.

• A line running from Malabar Hill to the Bandra-Kurla complex via the Haji Ali Dargah, Jacob Circle, Wadala Road, Sion Hospital and Dharavi. This is planned to open by 2011.
• A line from Thane to Bhiwandi via Kalyan.

Two lines 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long are to be constructed after the first two open.

• Chembur to Jacob Circle via Mahul. This route is planned to open by Dec 2010. (May get extended to Vashi, Navi Mumbai.)
• Lokhandwala Complex to Kanjurmarg via Oshiwara.

Additionally previously planned Mumbai Metro corridors are also being examined to be made as monorail corridors instead of Metro Rail by MMRDA due to dense and congested areas these corridors pass through, and monorail technology is thought to be more flexible to make its way in congested and dense areas. The corridors are:

• Hutatma Chowk – Ghatkopar - 21.8 km
• Ghatkopar – Mulund - 12.4 km

Taxis

An iconic Premier Padmini taxi in Mumbai

In recent years, Hyundai Santro and other hatchback taxis have started replacing Premier Padminis

A Radio Cab in Mumbai

The Taxis arrived in 1911 to complement horse wagons. The black and yellow Fiat taxis in Mumbai, are integral part of the city's heritage and have been depicted in numerous Bollywood movies. These metered taxis ply throughout Mumbai and have monopoly from Bandra to Churchgate on the Western line and Sion to Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus on the Central line. Beyond Sion and Bandra auto rickshaws are not allowed and one has to hire a taxi. However, between Sion to Thane and Bandra to Bhayandar, Taxis and autorickshaws ply. A mechanical meter decides the fare and is proportional to the distance traveled.

Number of taxis (cabs): About 58,000 In Greater Mumbai and 98,566 In Mumbai MMR.

Only 20,000 old black and yellow taxis on Greater Mumbai road and 35,000 New taxis like Maruti Alto, WagonR, Omni, Tata Indica, Santro etc. Recently Radio cab services have been introduced by some private companies.. Presently operated by the following companies: Meru (Green Silver), Gold cabs (Yellow Red), Easy Cabs, Star Taxis (White & Purple), Forsche Taxi, TabCab(Red) and Mega cabs (Black). However these taxis need to be booked in advance by calling their call centre number. It is convenient to call AC cabs in just 5–30 minutes depending on the place & time. Recently the police revealed that the law requires the driver of an unengaged taxi to take you to wherever you want to go, regardless of distance or time, in case the fare meter of the unengaged rickshaw/taxi is in a 'For Hire' mode. The modes were denoted by older mechanical meters in this manner: a) upright - for hire b) half mast - not doing business c) currently hired. If the driver does not comply, one simply needs to call the police on 1800-22-0110, a toll free number and mention the taxi's license number and the driver's name. The act of calling the police on your cell phone usually makes the driver comply with your request to be taken to your destination.^{[citation needed]} Mumbai Transport commissioner Dilip Jadhav recently announced direct email id for complaints could be about anything: refusal to ply short distance, excess fare charged/tampered meters, fake tariff cards, misconduct by drivers or any other complaint. Other methods of complaining against the auto rickshaws and taxis is available on the Mumbai RTO website, here.

The basis for the fare calculation is :

• Minimum fare : Rs. 19 for the first 1.5 km.
• Fare for each subsequent kilometer : Rs. 12.35

The fare is payable at a multiple of 1.25 (i.e. Rs. 125 for every Rs. 100 calculated for the meter reading) between midnight and 5 am.

Auto rickshaws

There are total 246,458 auto rickshaws in Mumbai MMR as of 2008, Auto Rickshaws are three-wheeler scooters, having a wheel in the front and 2 wheels in the rear, which can accommodate three people in the rear section, apart from the driver in the front section. Apart from Buses, Trains and Taxis, Auto rickshaws play an important role of public transport in Mumbai. As per the ruling of the Bombay High Court having 2002 as a deadline, all auto rickshaws use CNG as the fuel. It is wrong statement that all auto rickshaw in MMR run on CNG. Mumbai MMRDA extends up to ALIBAG , BADLAPUR, KALYAN M C and ULHASNAGAR M C also. in these areas CNG filling facility is not available, hence the fuel is either Petrol or LPG. Auto rickshaws are not permitted to enter Old Mumbai. The southmost points accessible to them are Bandra Fire Station in Western Mumbai and Sion Bus Depot in Central Mumbai. Auto rickshaws registered in Mumbai are not allowed travel beyond the municipal limits of Mumbai. They have been allowed to ply between Sion to Mulund in the Central Suburbs and up to Mankhurd on the Harbour line. People who wish to travel beyond Mumbai to suburbs like Vashi, Airoli have to board/flag down/catch another rickshaw. In the western suburbs they are allowed to ply between Bandra and Bhayandar only. Recently the police revealed that the law requires the driver of an unengaged taxi to take you to wherever you want to go, regardless of distance or time, in case the fare meter of the unengaged rickshaw/taxi is in a 'For Hire' mode. The modes were denoted by older mechanical meters in this manner: a) upright - for hire b) half mast - not doing business c) upturned mast - currently hired. If the driver does not comply, one simply needs to call the police on 1800-22-0110, a toll free number and mention the cab's license number and the driver's name. The act of calling the police on your cell phone usually makes the driver comply with your request to be taken to your destination. Other methods of complaining against the auto rickshaws and taxis is available on the Mumbai RTO website, here. A mechanical meter decides the fare and is proportional to distance traveled. The fare is available on the Mumbai RTO's webpage here in pdf format.

In general, one can use freely available sites like http://www.taxiautofare.com that's available on both computers and mobiles.

Mumbai Urban Transport Project

Main article: Mumbai Urban Transport Project

The Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) is a project formulated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to bring about improvement in traffic and transport situation in Mumbai metropolitan region. It envisages investment in suburban railway projects, local bus transport, new roads, bridges, pedestrian subways and traffic management activities.

Terror attacks

There have been fourteen terror attacks on Mumbai's public transportation, including two serial blasts, in 2003 and 2006, that killed approximately 257 people, and the 2008 attacks, during which more than 50 were killed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

• 6 December 2002 - Bomb goes off in a bus in Ghatkopar killing 2
• 27 January 2003 - Bomb goes off on a bicycle in Vile Parle killing 1
• 14 March 2003 - Bomb goes off in a train in Mulund killing 10
• 28 July 2003 - Bomb goes off in a bus in Ghatkopar killing 4
• 25 August 2003 - Two bombs go off in cars near the Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar killing 50
• 11 July 2006 - Series of seven bombs go off in trains killing 207
• 26 November 2008- 2008 Mumbai attacks: Ten terrorists from Pakistan target the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower and Nariman House, killing nearly 150 people in the deadliest terror attack of 2008 worldwide.

See also

• Timeline of Mumbai events
• Transport in India

External links

• Indian Railway Article on Mumbai Local Trains
• Indian Railway FAQ
• BEST Undertaking Information