Free MMTS Travel for T'gana Commuters

In a significant move, the Telangana government is set to introduce free travel for all passengers on the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) train services in Hyderabad. This initiative comes on the heels of the successful rollout of free bus travel for women across the state. Unlike the free bus travel, which is limited to women, the free MMTS travel will be available to all passengers.

The state government has formally approached the South Central Railway (SCR) to seek approval for this scheme. SCR has responded positively in principle, pending the drafting of detailed guidelines and the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state. The government aims to implement the free MMTS travel scheme on June 2, coinciding with Telangana Formation Day. The objective behind this initiative is to revitalize the underutilized MMTS network and alleviate the growing traffic congestion in Hyderabad.

Jayesh Rajan, the special chief secretary of the municipal administration and urban development department, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this scheme on public transport usage, anticipating a shift away from private vehicles. Once the state finalizes the operational guidelines, the proposal will be assessed for feasibility and forwarded to the Ministry of Railways for approval.

At present, the Telangana government provides free bus travel under the Maha Lakshmi Scheme, primarily catering to women, girls, and transgender passengers. It is anticipated that a similar model will be adopted for the free MMTS travel, with SCR issuing tickets without charging passengers and later billing the state based on ridership data. MMTS fares typically range between 5 and 15 based on the destination.

The MMTS trains currently operate on several routes, carrying approximately 40,000 to 45,000 passengers across 88 daily services. Before the pandemic, the network used to accommodate nearly 1.6 lakh commuters across almost 120 services. However, the ridership has declined significantly due to the expansion of the Metro rail and the availability of free bus travel.