The launch of Mumbai’s Metro Line 9 has led to a noticeable decline in suburban railway passengers on the busy Mira-Bhayandar section of the Western Railway network, indicating a major shift in commuter preference toward metro travel.
According to recent passenger data, the average daily footfall at Mira Road station has dropped by nearly 10 percent since the metro service began operations, while Bhayandar station has witnessed an even sharper decline of around 16 percent.
Transport experts believe the change reflects growing commuter frustration with overcrowded suburban local trains and a rising preference for the faster and more comfortable metro system. Railway officials and traffic planners are closely monitoring the trend, as Mira Road and Bhayandar are among the most heavily used stations on the Western Railway corridor.
Metro Line 9, which is an extension of Metro Line 7, connects Dahisar East to Mira-Bhayandar. At present, approximately five kilometres of the planned 14-kilometre corridor have become operational, covering stations such as Pandurangwadi, Mira Gaon, and Kashigaon.
The new connectivity has provided significant relief to residents of the rapidly expanding northern suburbs. Commuters from Mira Road and the Dahisar check naka area can now travel conveniently toward key commercial hubs between Borivali and Andheri without depending entirely on crowded local trains.
Many passengers are also adopting a hybrid travel pattern by using the metro up to Andheri and then switching to suburban trains for further travel.
The next phase of Metro Line 9 extending to Bhayandar is expected to be completed later this year, which is likely to further reduce pressure on the Western Railway suburban network.
Passenger figures highlight the impact of the metro service. Before the metro became operational, Mira Road station recorded approximately 40.42 lakh passengers between March 7 and April 7. However, after metro operations commenced, the number fell to 28.16 lakh between April 8 and May 1.
A similar trend was observed at Bhayandar station, where passenger numbers declined from 147.76 lakh to 95.70 lakh during the same comparative periods.
Although the comparison covers a relatively short duration, railway authorities consider the decline substantial, especially in terms of average daily ridership. Experts say the development signals a gradual transformation in Mumbai’s suburban travel landscape, with metro services increasingly emerging as a preferred mode of transport for daily commuters.