SPEAK UP: City expects a consistent service in second phase of Monorail

Nearly 11 years after the country's first Monorail was constructed between Chembur and Jacob Circle in Mahalaxmi, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Friday finally announced the start of the second phase between Wadala and Jacob Circle. The construction is expected to begin in the first week of March. In light of the many technical glitches and incidents that hindered Monorail services, DNA speaks to citizens about what they think should the MMRDA improve in the new phase, which may charge high ticket prices.

Even as the first phase had been in the news mostly for the wrong reasons — like breakdowns, and an empty coach catching fire thereby leading to suspension of services between November 2017 and August 2018 — ever since its launch in February 2014, the MMRDA anticipates the current daily ridership of 15,000 commuters to rise to one lakh.

Following the incidents, the MMRDA took over the Monorail operations in December 2018, which was looked after by the civil construction contractor, Larsen and Toubro, and Malaysia-based Scomi Engineering. Both, L&T and Scomi Engineering have come under the Comptroller Auditor and General of India (CAG) scanner following irregularities.

VOICES

The Monorail services stopped frequently ever since its launch. The MMRDA should ensure smooth service in the second phase. Safety of commuters should also be the priority of the agency. There is no problem if Monorail fare is high provided the service justifies  the same. We expect the new phase to benefit more passengers.
— Asit Singh, Ghatkopar resident

Citizens will appreciate Monorail if it runs on time considering it is connecting many places from where commuters will interchange modes of transport. Also, the price rise from Rs 10 to 40 is not an issue only if the services is, as I mentioned before, timely. It is cost effective transport if frequency is good and accessible for people.
— Prashant Nanaware, Kandivali resident

There are a couple of things that the MMRDA should consider with effect to hike in fares. They need to learn from the Mumbai Metro about the operations, maintenance and punctuality along with safety precautions during operations. In Mumbai, certain modes of transport are operational till midnight whereas Monorail will operate from 6 am to 10 pm alone. Since it connects different railway lines, Monorail  should be operational till 11.30 pm at the least.
— Monish Makhija, Chembur resident

The new price is not expensive for the target commuters. The MMRDA should come up with more trains or at least increase the coaches and reduce the time frequency between two trains. They should start the second phase operations soon without any delay to help the long distance traveller to commute quickly. Regular maintenance should be done so that there won’t be operational issues further
— Harsh Chedda, Jogeshwari resident

The Monorail should start on the second route soon. Only then will it be of any help. If they are charging a premium then it’s fine. But it should be operational without shut ting down in a week and there should be accountability. The monorail will actually also ease a lot of traffic in our area. I hope they start it soon so that we get to have a easy commute. I request some seriousness too unlike how it’s functioning right now 
— Vinod Singh, Worli resident

First of all they should improve the safety. It should have safety compliance considering the fire instances in the past. Increase of fare is fine because people will now be travelling to Jacob Cricle from Chembur. Earlier, people were not using it as much because the distance covered was short. Now it is practical as it will connect people from two different railway lines. Earlier, we had to change three trains. The frequency can be increased once the service is a hit
— Deepak Menghnani, Chembur resident

There is an urgent need to improve the frequency of Monorail services. The MRRDA should work on its safety and reliability of operations in order to avoid the many technical breakdowns experienced recently, with one even of fire last year.  With increase in fares, the MMRDA can also launch more number of trains to increase the carrying capacity. A few commuters have been using the monorail on daily which can change for better.  
— Rajendra Pradhan, Chembur resident

Might be worth while to consider it as part of BEST service, like the ferry at Versova to Madh,  so the tickets can be common, and interchangeable. In the sense, one ticket to wherever the monorail goes, example going from Andheri to Mumbai Central, get a bus Andheri to Chembur, and get onto the monorail, get to Saath Rasta, and another bus to Mumbai Central. Monorail should market different route options like this. 
— Jagdeep Desai, Andheri resident

EXPERT SPEAK

Higher fares and reliability are not connected with each other but Monorail really needs a team of experts to put it back on the track. The immediate requirement is to obtain the material which is in not available. Another important issue while second phase is starting is of fire. The technical reasons which caused the fire on monorail are not analysed properly. This has to be done before another incidence takes place. Further, 75% of the operation and maintenance expenditure is on tyre. An improvement is needed to cut down this expenditure
— SP Khade, Former Technical Director (Monorail), MMRDA.

The new fare structure of Rs 10, 20, 30 & 40 comes to about Rs 2 per km, and it should be fine. But MMRDA should ensure punctuality in service, frequency of 7-10 minutes and fare structure not higher than BEST. It should also have regular maintenance to ensure zero breakdown and highest standards of safety to regain the faith of commuters
— AV Shenoy, Member of Mumbai Vikas Samiti, forum of transport experts.