Ticket inspectors are nearly non-existent on local trains or at stations after 8 pm, leading to a surge in ticketless passengers during nighttime hours, prompting complaints to the Railways.
To address this issue, Western Railway Mumbai Division has assembled a team tasked with checking tickets on local trains and at stations during the night. This team has been dubbed the “Batman Squad,” derived from the acronym ‘Be Aware TTE Manning at Night’.
According to an official overseeing the initiative, this operation commenced on the night of March 11. Approximately 2500 ticketless passengers have already faced consequences, resulting in revenue gains of around Rs 6.50 lakh for the Railways.
The primary responsibility of the Batman team extends beyond ticket inspections; they are also tasked with monitoring nocturnal activities at stations. This initiative is expected to particularly benefit female passengers, enhancing safety during nighttime travel, with the added reassurance of TTE checks in ladies’ coaches.
Passengers of AC local trains have expressed concerns about the increased presence of travelers with either no tickets or regular tickets during nighttime journeys. Consequently, individuals traveling in AC compartments face challenges, including purchasing tickets at inflated prices. Numerous complaints have surfaced on social media, prompting the Railways to deploy the Batman Squad during night hours.
Recently, the Mumbai Division of Western Railway initiated a campaign to promote digital ticketing. This effort has resulted in a surge in UTS mobile app ticket usage, with ticket bookings via mobile doubling post-COVID.
