The move comes as the monorail continues to struggle with rising operational expenses, maintenance costs, and the financial burden of new train procurement.
MumbaiMonorail service is expected to restart after a nine-month suspension, but commuters may soon face higher fares once operations resume. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is reportedly reviewing a fare revision proposal aimed at improving the system’s financial viability.
The move comes as the monorail continues to struggle with rising operational expenses, maintenance costs, and the financial burden of new train procurement.
Why Fare Hike Is Being Considered?
According to officials, the proposed fare increase is driven by:
Rising day-to-day operational costs
Expensive track and infrastructure maintenance
Purchase of new train rakes from Hyderabad-based Medha Servo Drives
Persistent financial losses from operations
The monorail system has been running at a loss for several years, prompting authorities to reconsider its pricing structure.
Suspension and Upgrades
The Mumbai Monorail was suspended on September 20, 2025, after repeated technical issues and safety concerns raised questions about its reliability.
During the suspension period, major upgrades were undertaken, including:
Fleet modernization and improvements
Extensive track repairs
Installation of Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system
Overall system safety enhancements
Officials say these upgrades were necessary to ensure safer and more reliable operations.
Proposed New Fare Structure
If approved by the Maharashtra government, this will be the second fare revision since the monorail began operations in 2014.
Expected fare slabs:
Up to 3 km: ₹10
3–6 km: ₹20
6–9 km: ₹30
9–12 km: ₹40
12–15 km: ₹50
15–18 km: ₹60
Above 18 km: ₹70
This revision would align monorail fares more closely with Mumbai Metro pricing.
Fare History
The monorail has seen multiple fare changes since its launch:
2014 (launch fares): ₹5 to ₹19 depending on distance
2018 revision: ₹10 to ₹40 range
Proposed revision (2026): ₹10 to ₹70 range
Safety Clearance and Restart Status
The system has reportedly received key safety approval from retired Metro Railway Safety Commissioner P.S. Baghel. However, final approval from the Maharashtra government’s Urban Development Department is still pending.
Only after this clearance will services officially resume.
Financial Strain on the System
The monorail has long been described as a “white elephant” due to low revenue and high operating costs.
Financial performance highlights:
FY 2025–26 loss: ₹460.26 crore
FY 2024–25 loss: ₹476.76 crore
FY 2023–24 loss: ₹57.26 crore
Authorities attribute recent losses largely to capital expenditure on new trains and system upgrades.
Passenger Usage Before Suspension
Before services were halted, the monorail recorded:
Around 18,000 daily passengers
Up to 20,000 daily passengers during monsoon peak
What’s Next?
The resumption proposal is currently under review by the state’s Urban Development Department. Once approved, the monorail will restart operations with upgraded systems and a revised fare structure designed to improve financial sustainability.
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