Mumbai: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has announced a 25 percent discount for disabled passengers, but this facility is currently only available to iPhone (iOS) users. This has caused resentment among disabled passengers.
Deepak Kaitake, a “journalist patient friend” who constantly fights for disabled passengers, said, “How can a disabled person, struggling to make ends meet, afford an iPhone worth millions or crores? The government should have considered this. In fact, if there was a technical problem, the announcement should have been made only after it was fixed.”
On the other hand, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale has intervened in the matter and written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that metro travel be made 100 percent free for disabled passengers.
What’s the real problem?: The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) announced a 25 percent discount for disabled passengers starting Sunday, November 23rd. This discount is activated through the MetroConnect-3 app and applies to disabled certificate holders. However, according to MMRC Public Relations Officer Vaidehi More, “Currently, this feature is only available on the iOS (Apple) platform.
The necessary app update for Android users is pending approval on the Google Play Store.” More also clarified, “Once approved, this feature will be made available to all Android users soon.”
Provide a 100 percent discount: In the state, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) offers a 50 percent discount for women, and the government refunds this 50 percent.
Similarly, disabled organizations have been demanding that similar discounts be provided to disabled passengers on the metro. However, there is also dissatisfaction with the MMRC’s 25 percent discount.
Deepak Kaitake said, “Mumbai Metro stations and trains are still not fully prepared for the disabled. Due to the lack of facilities like Braille signage, wheelchair ramps, voice-based instructions, and priority entry, many disabled passengers have to rely on a companion. Given these additional difficulties, the demand for a full 100 percent discount for disabled passengers on metro travel has increased.”
Ramdas Athawale’s intervention: Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale has immediately intervened in this matter. Expressing full support for Kaitake’s demand, Athawale has sent an official letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. In the letter, Athawale says, “Since differently-abled passengers are financially insecure and the metro is a convenient, safe and punctual mode of travel for them, it is essential to provide 100% free metro travel. Although the state government has launched several schemes for the differently-abled at various levels, the free metro travel facility can be a major relief in their daily lives.”
