Mumbai Mono Rail | Experts express concern over approval to Monorail fare hike
Mumbai: The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) approved rates of Mumbai Mono Rail on Friday. Now it is expected that the phase II of the Mono Rail project will start operating soon. As Phase I of Chembur to Wadala was hit by poor ridership of just 17,000 per day, MMRDA expects it to improve after Phase II, from Wadala to Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk, begins operations. However, transport experts have expressed concern that higher fares may further deter travelers from using the monorail. The increase is in line with the Metro rates that the MMRDA will be operating, it is not according to the Metro One rates and the slabs are much larger. We are not incurring the security charges, “said UPS Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA. 2. “With the increase in rates, the monorail will be converted exclusively for those who can afford it. The monorail connects areas that are currently inhabited by middle class or lower middle class people and may not be a...