NMMT revenue dips by 30% in 2015

Earns Rs5.36 lakh from ticketless commuters last year against Rs6.74 lakh in 2014

NAVI MUMBAI: Revenue earned by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) from the ticketless commuters decreased by 30% in last one year.

According to NMMT official, in 2015 from January to December, a total of 4810 commuters were found travelling without ticket as opposed to 6154 commuters found in 2014.

It directly affected the revenue earned by the transport body. NMMT earned only Rs5,36,459 from ticketless commuters last year against Rs6,74,367 earned in 2014.

Sources said that in the first seven months, NMMT cracked down heavily on commuters travelling without buying a ticket. But in the last five months, there was not much attention towards it.

In 2014, the transport body had taken serious note of the huge revenue loss incurred by such commuters and focused on the menace. Commuters travelling in the rush hours do not buy tickets many times. But, the authorities concerned had increased surprise check to control ticketless travelling that year.

Sirish Aradwad, general manager of NMMT, said, “We do not lack manpower to keep a tab on the ticketless commuters. As of now we have 50 ticket checkers and this strength is more than enough. This year, we have decided to crack the whip on such commuters and generate more revenues.”

As of now NMMT charges Rs 150 for travelling in non-AC buses, and Rs 250 for travelling in Ac buses. There is, however, no possibility of increase this fine in the near future.

“We are now running a total of 360 buses including 70 air-conditioned ones on 48 routes. This number is however not sufficient to cover such a huge area. Therefore, we have ordered for 150 new buses including 10 air-conditioned ones and are expecting those within a few months,” Aradwar said.

The NMMT also started Panvel city services a few months ago and it received overwhelming response.

Now, commuters from Panvel station who have to rely only on autorickshaw can commute by buses which will be much cheaper.

“The new buses we have ordered will not be used outside Navi Mumbai. We will concentrate mostly on the jurisdiction of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC),” he said.

We are running a total of 360 buses including 70 air-conditioned ones on 48 routes. This number is however not sufficient to cover such a huge area. Therefore, we have ordered for 150 new buses including 10 air-conditioned ones.

SIRISH ARADWAD, general manager of NMMT

HT FILE PHOTO