MMTS witnesses sharp decline in passengers

Hyderabad: The daily patronage of MMTS has experienced a significant decline due to irregular scheduling, frequent cancellations, and no proper last-mile connectivity. According to data, on average, each trip in MMTS records about 550 passengers, and patronage has fallen to 45 per cent.

According to SCR officials, the daily patronage of MMTS is less than 50,000, compared to the earlier occupancy of 1.5 lakh two years ago. The patronage of MMTS services, which took a hit during the COVID pandemic, has still not recovered. With the drop in passenger patronage, South Central Railway (SCR) had to cut down the scheduled services from 121 to 88 MMTS services per day. On average, each trip in MMTS records about 550 passengers.

To solve this perennial problem, daily passengers and members of the Suburban Train Travellers Association urged the railways to increase the frequency during peak hours and suggested maintaining punctuality. “As the railways have not yet made any plans to introduce new trains, even though Phase II works are just about to be completed, every day we are forced to opt for other modes of transportation to reach the Secunderabad station, and the trains run behind schedule," said a daily passenger.

Noor, general secretary, Suburban Train Travellers Association, said, “We suggested several times to the railway authorities to increase the frequency of trains. The major concern is the impractical arrival time of the first train at Secunderabad, which is around 9:40 am. This timing lacks utility and merely consumes electrical energy, as it doesn’t effectively cater to commuters’ needs. Another major concern is that as many Southbound trains are originating from Kacheguda in the morning and evening, and due to a lack of last-mile connectivity, many passengers have opted for other modes of public transport. If the MMTS phase II works are completed, it can lessen the burdens faced by everyday passengers.”