To modernize ticketing systems and reduce operational costs, the Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) has shut ticket windows at specific low-traffic stations on the Metro 2A (Andheri West-Anand Nagar) and Metro 7 (Gundavali-Dahisar East) lines. Stations including Akurli, Poisar, and Eksar, where daily ticket sales are fewer than 3,500, are now focusing on digital ticketing options to streamline passenger flow and cut back on paper usage.
WhatsApp Ticketing Gains Momentum
MMMOCL introduced WhatsApp ticketing on October 11, allowing commuters to buy tickets by sending a “Hi” to 8652635500 or scanning a QR code at stations. Within just 15 days, the number of passengers purchasing QR tickets at physical windows decreased from 56% to 48%, marking a significant shift toward digital transactions. Though QR tickets still constitute the majority of ticket sales, payments through NCMC cards and mobile ticketing have reached 44%. In early October, 62% of passengers used paper QR tickets, 3% used mobile QR tickets, and 35% opted for NCMC cards. MMMOCL’s move towards digital ticketing aims to make travel quicker and more convenient for the average 2.70 lakh daily commuters, with peak footfall reaching up to 2.92 lakh.
Anticipated Savings
By closing ticket windows at low-traffic stations, MMMOCL expects considerable savings on labor and resources. Each window closure saves on staffing costs—typically requiring two to three employees with monthly salaries of ₹30,000 to ₹40,000. At these stations, where only 500 to 700 tickets were sold daily, the closures help reduce the use of paper, aligning with environmental sustainability goals. Ticket rolls, each costing ₹70 to ₹80 and issuing around 200 tickets, are no longer required for every transaction. With WhatsApp ticketing, booking time has been streamlined, reducing the time required to purchase a ticket to just 120 seconds.
Convenient Season Passes
In addition to single-trip digital tickets, MMMOCL is also planning to introduce season passes to further enhance commuter convenience. Similar to suburban railway passes, these options would be available in weekly, monthly, or quarterly formats and accessible through the ‘Metro One’ app, integrating with NCMC cards. This initiative aims to provide a smoother experience for regular commuters who frequently travel the 20-km corridor on Metro lines 2A and 7.
Digital Ticketing Across Major Indian Cities
In several major Indian cities, metro systems have increasingly embraced digital ticketing options to provide a smoother commuter experience. Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai offer various forms of online ticketing, including mobile apps and smart card options. The Delhi Metro, for instance, allows passengers to purchase tickets through the "Ridlr" and "DMRC" apps, while Bengaluru Metro’s “Namma Metro” app supports QR code-based tickets. Hyderabad and Chennai also have similar systems where commuters can either recharge smart cards online or use QR codes generated through their respective metro apps.
Additionally, National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC) have been introduced in many metros, enabling contactless payments across different transit systems and cities. This unified approach toward digital ticketing is intended to reduce physical ticketing and waiting times, thereby enhancing convenience and promoting a paperless environment across India's urban transit networks.
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