The Mumbai Metro Line 3, whose final phase has been operational since October 9, is being used by more than 1.5 lakh commuters to travel between Jogeshwari and Cuffe Parade daily. However, major issues highlighted by mid-day that plagued the rapid transit system on Day 1 — such as lack of network connectivity and the lack of small change at ticket counters — have not been resolved. A commuter, Vanshika Patel, said on Sunday, “It gets very difficult to get a ticket at any underground Metro station due to the absence of network, especially when we don’t have cash on us.”
With digital payments being very common in the city, Mumbaikars say that they mostly carry large denominations of currency. As they now lack an avenue to pay via the digital medium, commuters are in a fix. While the Metro line has free Wi-Fi to help commuters book tickets using UPI, there have been instances where certain devices, such as iPhones, can’t detect it.
“I had to run up to the road level and find a shop which was ready to provide change for Rs 200. I’ve been carrying large currency notes ever since I started using the online method of payment, but I will start carrying small change from tomorrow as I want to avail myself of the comfort of the Metro,” said a commuter at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport T1 metro station, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Reuben Canday, commuter who doesn’t use cash (right) Commuter who has National Common Mobility Card. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Shorya Londhe, a frequent commuter, said, “I had issues getting a ticket the first time I travelled since I didn’t have cash and UPI wasn’t working. But since then, I have started using the Mumbai One app, and it has been very smooth. The only hurdle I have faced is when the app wasn’t showing the newly opened Metro stations on the initial day. But since I updated the app, everything has been easy and smooth. I can book tickets without facing issues one encounters with the UTS app.”
Akash Khanwalkar, a commuter, said, “I have a National Common Mobility Card, which I recharge since I use the Metro 3 daily, but if I forget to do so, or leave behind my card, travelling via the Metro would be difficult. Though I have a Vodafone SIM, network is only available between Acharya Atre Chowk and Aarey JVLR.”
Reuben Canday, a daily commuter who doesn’t use cash, said, “I have to always make sure to have the payment scanner open before entering a Metro station; otherwise I’d have to climb up to the road level to get signal. The free Wi-Fi is also very patchy, so that doesn’t help much either. To log into the Wi-Fi, we need an OTP, for which a mobile network is required.”
Official Speak
A Metro 3 spokesperson denied a shortage of cash at Metro Line 3 stations. “Occasionally, smaller denominations may be limited, but this is continuously monitored to ensure passenger convenience. Full network connectivity will be available soon, and free Wi-Fi is already provided at all stations to ensure seamless digital access,” the spokesperson said.
