In a massive crackdown on ticketless travel, the Western Railway (WR) has reported a significant surge in penalty collections for the year 2025. The railway zone collected a staggering Rs 155.46 crore in fines through intensive ticket checking drives conducted between April and December.
Mumbai Suburban Network Contributes Heavily
The data reveals a telling story about travel patterns in the financial capital. A substantial portion of this recovery, Rs 41.26 crore, came specifically from the Mumbai suburban section. This figure starkly highlights the persistent challenge of ticketless travel within the city's extensive and heavily used local train network, which serves millions of commuters daily.
The total collection marks a sharp 49 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024, when the fine amount stood at Rs 104.34 crore. Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, stated that these results underscore the administration's sustained efforts to deter ticketless travel. The goal, he emphasized, is to ensure a safer and more comfortable journey for passengers who follow the rules.
Surprise Checks Across All Services
The railway administration executed sustained and surprise ticket checking operations across its entire network. These drives were not limited to suburban services but were also rigorously implemented on long-distance Mail/Express trains, passenger services, and holiday special trains. All activities were carried out under the direct supervision of senior commercial officers to ensure effectiveness and transparency.
The impact of this intensified campaign was particularly pronounced in the month of December 2025. During this period alone, WR detected 2.51 lakh cases of ticketless and irregular travel, including unbooked luggage violations. This led to a recovery of Rs 15.54 crore, representing a 42 per cent rise compared to December 2024.
Focus on AC Local Trains Yields Results
A major area of focus for Western Railway in 2025 was its air-conditioned (AC) suburban local trains. The crackdown here proved exceptionally fruitful. Officials penalised nearly 91,000 unauthorised passengers travelling in AC locals, recovering Rs 2.97 crore in fines. This figure signifies an astonishing 97 per cent increase over the previous year, when fines from AC locals amounted to Rs 1.51 crore.
Looking ahead, WR officials have made it clear that the campaign is far from over. They announced that frequent and unannounced ticket checks will continue unabated. Special attention will be paid to high-revenue suburban routes and the AC services, where evasion attempts remain high. The railway administration has also reiterated its appeal to all commuters, urging them to travel only with proper and valid tickets to avoid penalties and support the system.
