Free travel in MMTS in Hyderabad.. Key decision of the state government

To tackle rising traffic congestion and pollution in Hyderabad, the Telangana government is planning a major initiative to promote public transport. Under this proposal, free travel may be introduced for all passengers in the MMTS Hyderabad trains. The scheme is expected to be launched on June 2, marking Telangana Formation Day. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has reportedly approved the proposal. State officials have already held discussions with South Central Railway authorities regarding its implementation. The plan is to run the scheme for one year initially and review its impact before deciding on continuation.

Currently, MMTS generates around ₹10 crore annually. The state government has assured that it will compensate this revenue even if passenger numbers increase after free travel is introduced. Before COVID-19, about 1.2 lakh passengers used MMTS daily across 121 services. At present, only 80–88 trains are operating, with daily ridership dropping to around 38,000–42,000. Reduced frequency and lack of punctuality are seen as key reasons for the decline.

The government has suggested increasing train frequency during peak hours, improving punctuality, and upgrading station facilities. It is also planning RTC shuttle buses to connect homes and railway stations for passenger convenience. In response, South Central Railway has asked the state to submit a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). After reviewing it, approvals from the Railway Board will be sought. The railway authorities clarified that decisions on train schedules and operations will remain under their control.

Additionally, the Railways have requested the Telangana government to clear pending dues of ₹491.45 crore related to the MMTS Phase-2 project.