Public Transport in Mumbai

Mumbai as we all know is a very densely populated city.So for an overly crowded city we have four major public transportation options:

• Local trains

• Buses

• Auto Rickshaws

• Taxi's

Auto rickshaws are only available in the suburbs of Mumbai. They do not run beyond Mahim towards south Mumbai. So people staying in the suburbs are lucky as they can catch an auto rickshaw just outside their door and get dropped where ever they want at a cheaper price than catching a taxi/cab. An auto rickshaw can accommodate only three people at a time. It is black in color and is known for causing traffic jams and small accidents. I guess all private cars in Mumbai some time or the other would have had a brush with an auto.

All the auto drivers are always in a hurry, instead of using signal lights they use their hands and legs to notify the car driver behind that they are turning or stopping. Their brake lights never seem to work. Though all autos are supposed to take you wherever you want , some of them can even reject you. But when compared to local trains and buses autos are a blessing in disguise for short distances.

Local buses have a very good network in Mumbai. Our red BEST buses have increased in number drastically in the last couple of years. This is due to the increase in population. The frequency of the buses have also increased. No longer can one see those double decker buses that used to run on the roads before. In some areas the buses are so crowded that people sometimes have no place to even stand and you find them hanging outside from the back entrance. It's a sight to see. Travelling by bus is cheaper than travelling by auto rickshaws or taxis. There are reserved seats for ladies, pregnant women, senior citizens and handicapped people right at the front of the bus.

But when the bus is overcrowded no one seems to care as long as they have a seat to sit in. Usually you board the bus from behind and leave the bus from the front but still at peak hours this norm goes for a toss. Bus drivers are known for stopping not at the bus stop but right in the middle of the road causing a traffic jam. Who cares for others as long as their job is being done. I suggest a dedicated left lane for all buses but this seems as a farfetched option as our roads are narrow, cars on roads are more, roads are being dug every second and population is increasing every millisecond. Now we even have a/c buses running on the roads. They are more expensive than the red BEST buses but are very comfortable. The only drawback is its frequency is very very low.

The black and yellow taxis of Mumbai can run from south Mumbai to Thane, Navi Mumbai and Vasai-Virar. So you can travel in private anywhere comfortably. Only four passengers are allowed in a taxi. Some of the privately owned taxis are so very well decorated as in they have extra lights, decorations like artificial flowers etc. even the seat covers are nice, but some taxis are very shabby. Taxis are the most expensive of all the public transports. But then you get private service. One thing I have noticed in most of the cabs that their tail and brake lights never seem to work so if you are driving behind them keep a safe distance. The air conditioned cabs are becoming very popular amongst the higher class people in Mumbai. You call the cab service and the cab waits for you at your doorstep in less than 30 minutes. There is nothing like travelling in an air conditioned car in Mumbai as Mumbai is heavily polluted.

The local trains are the life line of Mumbai. Most of the population uses this form of transport as it is faster, convenient as frequency is very good, good network throughout Mumbai and above all is cheapest form of transport. There are stations in mostly all the areas of Mumbai. The local trains carry around 7 million commuters on a daily basis. Earlier, all the local trains had 9 coaches, but due to the increase in usage, some of them were made into 12 coach trains.

Now most of the local trains are 12 coaches leaving some, and there is demand for 15 coach trains, but that is a hurdle since all railway platforms cannot accommodate 15 coach trains, so the main stations are being extended to accommodate 15 coach trains. There are two classes in the trains first class and second class. Both vary in their ticket prices. If you are a regular on the train than you can buy a monthly pass which will save you the time of standing in queue everyday to buy your ticket and plus it turns out cheaper. The women and men compartment is different but at nights you can get into any compartment. A female should preferably avoid travelling alone in the train late at night. The government have provided security guards inside but most of the times they are never to be seen. Local trains do not function between 2am and 4am.

The local trains in Mumbai are divided into three zones - Western line, Central / Main line and the Harbour line. The western line originates from Churchgate and goes upto Virar. The central line originates at Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus (also known as VT / CST station) and goes upto either Karjat or Kasara. The harbour line also originates at CST, and takes a detour at Wadala and goes upto Andheri on the Western line.

The rakes of the Mumbai suburban network have a maximum speed of 85 km per hour, but the drivers are given strict instructions to follow speed limits while entering or exiting a railway station. There have been lot of accidents of people trying to cross the railway tracks and now keeping this in mind, the Government is coming up with various programs to educate the people about the risk of crossing Railway tracks.

If you're visiting Mumbai for the first time, it is advisable NOT to board a Virar fast from Churchgate station, because when you board the train, it might be empty but slowly it fills up so much that it is impossible for a new person to get off the train. Most people travel in groups on this route, and bully new people who wish to either get off at Bandra or Andheri station. At peak hours the trains get so crowded that people hang out of the door and travel on top of the trains.

Now, I guess all mumbaikars are waiting for the metro to start to ease out our lives more. So all in all Mumbai has a fantastic public transportation network. So run Mumbai run- smooth.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/public-transport-in-mumbai-4604232.html

Ritesh Sapra has lived his life in the city of Mumbai, and loves helping Mumbaikars get what they want out of mumbai. You can visit MagicalMumbai to know the local train timetables of Mumbai