If you often travel on Mumbai’s Western Railway without a ticket, it’s time to rethink your choices. Western Railway is getting tough on fare evaders by introducing pre-custody areas at stations and equipping ticket checkers with body cameras to keep track of offenders.
So, what does this mean for you? If you are caught without a valid ticket and refuse to pay the fine, you won’t be able to simply argue your way out. Western Railway has set up special waiting zones on platforms where ticketless passengers will be held. Meanwhile, ticket checkers will be recording everything with their new bodycams, ensuring there is no escape from accountability.
And this is not just a plan, it’s already in action! Trials began last week on the Churchgate-Virar-Dahanu route, with Borivali and Andheri being the first stations to implement these holding areas. Some ticket checkers are already using body cameras on a test basis, and soon, every TC will have one.
Western Railway official explained why this was necessary
“Many ticketless passengers argue and refuse to pay the fine, which wastes time. Now, they will be kept in the pre-custody area, where staff will explain the rules. If they still don’t comply, a memo will be issued, and they will be handed over to the Railway Protection Force (RPF).”
The results are already visible. On January 23, Western Railway conducted a special ticket checking drive at multiple stations, catching over 7,300 ticketless travellers in a single day and collecting ₹32.16 lakh in fines!
Western Railway is now tracking repeat offenders. If you are caught multiple times, your details, including your name and mobile number will be stored. Officials are also considering linking ticketless traveller’s details with ID proofs used for season pass registration.
As for body cams, each device costs around ₹10,000 and can record up to 10 hours of footage, which will be stored in Western Railway’s system. This means every conversation with ticket checkers will be documented, leaving no room for false claims or excuses.
Why You Should Never Travel Without a Ticket
Let’s be real. If you are using a service, paying for it is your responsibility. You wouldn’t go to a restaurant, eat a meal, and walk out without paying, right? So why do it with the railway?
Every ticketless traveller puts an extra burden on the system. The railway depends on ticket revenue to maintain trains, improve facilities, and ensure smooth operations. If people keep skipping fares, it directly affects services, fewer resources mean crowded coaches, delayed maintenance, and slower improvements.
No More Free Rides!
Some might think, “So what if a few people travel without tickets? Railways will still run!” But that’s not the point. Every year, Indian Railways lose crores of rupees due to fare evasion. That’s money that could have been used for better seats, cleaner stations, more trains, and lower ticket prices.
And let’s talk about fairness, why should one person pay while another gets a free ride? Why should genuine passengers suffer because someone else decides to break the rules?
The Issue of Passengers Taking Over Reserved Coaches
Now, here’s another problem, people boarding reserved coaches without tickets and acting as if they own the place.
If you have ever travelled in a reserved coach, you have probably faced this issue. You book a seat, plan your journey, and when you board, someone is already sitting there, refusing to move! These unauthorised travellers not only take over seats meant for paying passengers but also argue, create chaos, and sometimes even gang up to dominate the space.
How is this fair to those who genuinely booked their tickets?
Travel Smart, Travel Right
Skipping a ticket might seem like a small thing, but the consequences can be serious. A fine, embarrassment, and even legal trouble, is it really worth the risk?
More importantly, every fare counts. When you pay your ticket price, you are contributing to a better railway system for everyone.
So, next time you board a train, do it the right way. Buy your ticket, respect other travellers, and encourage others to do the same. Let’s make our railway journeys smoother, safer, and fair for all!
