How to Take a Journey in Mumbai Local Train

Mumbai is the commercial hub of India and trains are the most efficient and fastest way to travel within the city. Mumbai is also well-connected with rest of India by numerous other inter-state trains. This article will teach you how to travel by train within Mumbai city.

Mumbai's local train is operated by Indian Railways two zonal authorities namely Central Railways and Western Railways. The central railway operates the central line and the harbour line whereas the western railway operates the western line.

By Local trains within the city

1) Go to the nearest railway station.

2) To buy your ticket either you could buy it from the ticket counter or by railway ticket coupons or by Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVM) through smart cards.

• By Ticket Counter

Stand in the queue till your turn comes and then ask for your ticket. It is always advisable to tender exact change. Even if the person at the counter does have change it's more likely that he will not give you ticket. So have exact change.

Many stations have more than one ticket counters so except in peak hours you could easily get your ticket within 15 minutes. In peak hours it could take as much as one hour. Queue jumping is normal here in Mumbai so if you are a tourist visiting the city leave the queue jumpers to the locals to handle.

Train tickets are either First class or Economy class. If you want to buy 1st class tickets then there is always a separate queue for that. Fist class tickets could be bought within 5 minutes. First class tickets can be as much as 10 times the ticket fare of economy class.

• By Railway ticket Coupons

Railway ticket coupons are effective way to get your ticket if you are frequent train traveler and wish to visit different places within the city.

Train ticket coupons could be bought directly from the ticket counter without getting in the queue, just go to the counter and ask for coupons which are available in 30, 40 and 60 Rs denomination.

Every station will have more than one coupon punching machine. Adjoining also there would be ticket fare list so punch tickets for the appropriate fare and you are good to go.

Note : Before punching the coupons see the time on the coupon punching machine. If correct time is displayed then only punch your coupons. Unpunched coupons do not expire.

• By Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM) through smart cards

Smart cards can be bought at any ticket counter and can be refilled in multiples of 50 up to 500 rupees. Every station has at least one ATVM. Buying tickets using the ATVM is very easy. Go to the ATVM and place your card on the sensor of the ATVM which has a touch screen interface. Select the appropriate language from Hindi, Marathi or English. Select your destination zone and choose the number of adults and children. Then select "Print" and tickets are discharged from the ATVM slot.

3) Go to the appropriate platform and enter the train.

4) Look for the correct compartment. Do not enter the first class if you do not have the appropriate ticket.

5) Remember trains can either be fast locals or slow locals. Fast locals don't stop at some stations and slow locals will stop every station on the route. Fast trains are available for Central Line and Western Line, however, trains at the harbour lines do have fast locals. So keep in mind this factor when boarding trains. To find that a fast local will start at your destination then look at the table at the end of this hub.

5) New trains that are introduced in the Mumbai railway network have an announcement system that could help you in getting down at your desired location.

• Many people in Mumbai speak fluent English and are helpful so if you do not understand the local language you could easily ask the nearby person to assist you.
• Keep your tickets safe. If you lost your ticket then it is highly unlikely to convince the ticket examiner.
• When the train arrives, do not stand in front of the door. Stand just to one side to allow passengers to exit the car and then only step inside.
  
• Do not travel in front of the door.
• Avoid standing near the train car entry.
• After alighting a train try to go inside the train and acquire a seat. Do not stand near the entry point.
• Always try to travel in the opposite direction i,e from CST to Thane etc.
• When you want to get down at your desired station try to come close to the exit point.
• Do not travel during peak hours (7:30 AM to 11 AM and 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM ). If it is necessary to travel in peak hours and you are accompanied with more than two persons it is advisable to travel by a taxi.
• If you are one or two coupon short for your travel and do not wish to buy another coupon bundle, asking politely to the nearby person could do the trick.

• On crowded rush hour trains, the cars can become extremely packed. In these situations, keep your bag on your lap or in the overhead racks and do not open a newspaper. Do not be alarmed if people actually push you in from the platform; this will only occur in extremely busy situations, however.
• Advertisements inside local trains in Mumbai are not regulated and its common to find "so-called" lucrative offers. Do not let someone to con you.
• Trains are usually very crowded so it is advisable not to get offended if someone pushes you mistakenly.
• Male passengers please do not enter the ladies compartment. It is an offence and you could land up in jail.
• For women passengers, at late night-time it is safer to travel by the general compartment than the first class women's coach, as the latter may be absolutely empty except you. Very often they have no cop guarding the coaches.

Stations in bold means that a fast local will stop.