Monorail introduces return journey tokens

Mumbaikars can now purchase return journey tokens to commute on Mumbai Monorail.

The monorail service, which currently runs between Wadala depot and Chembur, has a maximum one-way fare of Rs11 and purchasing a return journey token would double the fare as there would not be any discount.

"Since this is the first time the return journey tokens have been made available, we will be deputing more Customer Service Assistants at the Automatic Fare Collection gates of the stations to educate passengers," said Dilip Kawathkar, spokesperson of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Starting from July, even the Mumbai Metro service had begun issuing return journey tokens, which still continues and it also helps in reducing longer queues.

Ever since the inauguration of Mumbai Monorail (on February 1) and Mumbai Metro (on June 8) there has been repeated demands from the commuters to start issuing return journey tokens for convenience as people do not want to stand in queues twice.

Unlike the suburban railway system, return tokens will be valid only for the day of purchase and not the following day of the weekend.

In April this year, senior MMRDA officials had ruled out the possibility of coming up with such an arrangement; instead, they had claimed that it was possible to come out with daily, monthly or quarterly passes for the convenience of passengers. However, the passes are likely to be introduced only when the entire Mumbai Monorail corridor, that is between Chembur to Jacob Circle (Sant Gadge Maharaj Chowk) via Wadala depot is operational.

Currently, the deadline to complete Wadala depot—Jacob Circle alignment is December 2015.