In probably the lowest fare per kilometre in the world, Mumbai’s suburban railway commuters pay 7 paise per km for a second class season ticket (pass) that offers them unlimited monthly travel. A commuter pays just 25 paise per km on a single journey second class ticket, while a first class monthly season ticket costs a mere 25 paise per km.

Former railway board chairman Vivek Sahai, who conducted a study on fares in public transport in Mumbai, said a reasonable hike is necessary for quality public transport.

Writing a chapter in the book on Mumbai Vision 2015 - An Agenda for Urban Renewal published by Observer Research Foundation, Sahai said the hope of reducing crowding on trains even after the completion of Mumbai Urban Transport Project will be dashed due to such a cheap travelling option.

“In the last two decades or so, Mumbai has grown northwards well beyond its peninsular structure. Areas like Lokhandwala, Versova, Powai and Aarey Milk Colony are quite far from existing railway lines. Also the Bandra-Kurla Complex is developing as a major institutional area where several service sector companies have mushroomed. People residing in these areas have high purchasing power,’’ Sahai added.

Visiting fellow and editor R Swaminathan of the Vision 2015 book said, “There was an urgent need to rationalise the fare structure in Mumbai both for improving the quality of services for the urban commuter and for improving existing rail infrastructure as well for constructing new ones. The current fare structure is unsustainable.”

In fact, it is the lowest fare per kilometre in the world for any form of transportation. He added that there is an urgent need for a coherent policy for an integrated multi-modal transportation infrastructure for Mumbai. All modes of transports, from cycle rickshaws, autos, taxis to large-scale public transportation systems like buses, trains, sea-based systems, need to be seen from an accessibility and affordability perspective.