Mumbai Metro Line 3 in trouble-commuters battle payment and connectivity issues
Even as the full underground Metro has brought unparalleled commuting convenience, since day 1, commuters face inconvenience and frustration such as no mobile network and ticket counters have no small change.
Reportedly, the Mumbai Metro Line 3, whose final phase came into operation since October 9, is being used by more than 1.5 lakh commuters to travel between Jogeshwari and Cuffe Parade daily.
Ironically, major issues 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. As per commuter, Vanshika Patel, on Sunday, “It gets very difficult to get a ticket at any underground Metro station due to the absence of network, especially when they(commuters don’t have cash on them).
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.
A commuter at CSMT reports that he had to run up to the road level and find a shop which was ready to provide change for Rs 200. He has been carrying large currency notes and ever since started using the online method of payment, but will start carrying small change from tomorrow as he wants to avail himself of the comfort of the Metro,”
Reuben Canday, commuter who doesn’t use cash has National Common Mobility Card.
Shorya Londhe, a frequent commuter, said, she had issues getting a ticket the first time she travelled since didn’t have cash and UPI wasn’t working. But since then, has started using the Mumbai One app, and it has been very smooth. The only hurdle she faced is when the app wasn’t showing the newly opened Metro stations on the initial day. But since she updated the app, everything has been easy and smooth. She can book tickets without facing issues one encounters with the UTS app.
Akash Khanwalkar, a commuter, said, he holds a National Common Mobility Card, which he recharges since he uses the Metro 3 daily, but if he forgets to do so, or leave behind his card, travelling via the Metro would be difficult. Though he has 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, she has 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.”
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.
News Edit KV Raman
