Mumbai local news has drawn attention to a worrying trend: a 97% rise in ticketless commuters on AC local trains between April and December 2025. Despite AC locals being positioned as a premium suburban travel option, enforcement data shows a sharp increase in unauthorised travel, especially on Mumbai’s Western suburban network.
Railway authorities say the surge reflects both rising passenger volumes and persistent fare evasion, prompting intensified ticket-checking drives across services.
Sharp Rise in Ticketless Travel on AC Locals
According to official figures, an average of 330 ticketless passengers were caught every day during the April–December 2025 period, underlining the scale of the problem.
AC local trains, introduced to offer safer and more comfortable commuting, have emerged as a major focus area for enforcement due to their higher fares compared with non-AC locals. Despite this, nearly 91,000 unauthorised passengers were detected in AC locals alone during the nine-month period.
Western Railway’s Enforcement Drive and Penalty Collections
Western Railway (WR) collected a total of ₹155.46 crore through intensive ticket-checking drives between April and December 2025.
This represents a 49% increase over the same period in 2024, when penalties amounting to ₹104.34 crore were collected. Railway officials stated that the drive aimed to curb ticketless and irregular travel while improving the experience for genuine passengers.
Of the total fines collected in 2025, ₹41.26 crore came from the Mumbai suburban section, highlighting the city’s outsized contribution to ticketless travel cases.
December 2025 Sees Peak Enforcement Activity
December 2025 witnessed particularly strong enforcement outcomes.
During the month:
- Fines worth ₹15.54 crore were collected
- 2.51 lakh ticketless or irregular passengers were detected
- This marked a 42% rise compared with December 2024
Separately, another ₹3.95 crore was recovered through the detection of around 92,000 cases, including instances of unbooked luggage.
Railway officials said the spike was driven by sustained checks and higher commuter volumes during the holiday season.
AC Local Trains Under Special Scrutiny
To address fare evasion on premium suburban services, Western Railway conducted frequent surprise checks specifically targeting AC locals.
Between April and December 2025:
- Around 91,000 unauthorised AC local passengers were penalised
- ₹2.97 crore was recovered in fines
- Penalty collection from AC locals rose 97% year-on-year, compared with ₹1.51 crore during the same period last year
Officials said this clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of focused enforcement efforts.
Why Ticketless Travel Remains a Challenge
Railway authorities acknowledge that Mumbai’s massive daily ridership makes complete elimination of ticketless travel difficult. Factors contributing to the issue include:
- Peak-hour overcrowding
- Short-distance travel perceptions
- Limited awareness of penalties
- Misuse of AC locals by non-ticketed passengers
Senior commercial officers supervised sustained surprise checks across suburban services, Mail/Express trains, passenger services, and holiday special trains to address these challenges.
Impact on Genuine Commuters
Ticketless travel not only causes revenue losses but also affects genuine passengers by increasing crowding and reducing comfort, particularly in AC locals designed for premium travel.
Railway officials reiterated that consistent enforcement is essential to maintain service quality and fairness across Mumbai’s suburban rail network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 97% rise in ticketless commuters indicate?
It indicates a sharp increase in fare evasion on AC local trains compared to the same period last year.
Which railway zone conducted the enforcement drive?
The drive was carried out by Western Railway across its suburban and long-distance services.
How much penalty was collected between April and December 2025?
Western Railway collected ₹155.46 crore in fines during the period.
Why are AC locals a focus area?
AC locals have higher fares and are increasingly misused by ticketless commuters.
How many AC local passengers were penalised?
Around 91,000 unauthorised passengers were penalised in AC local trains.
Will enforcement continue in 2026?
Railway officials have indicated that sustained and surprise ticket-checking drives will continue.
Conclusion
Mumbai local news reporting a 97% rise in ticketless commuters on AC trains between April–December 2025 highlights a growing enforcement challenge for the suburban rail system. While the surge reflects rising commuter volumes, it also underscores the need for sustained vigilance.
With record penalty collections and focused checks, Western Railway aims to deter fare evasion and ensure a fair, comfortable travel experience for Mumbai’s millions of daily commuters.
