In a bid to tackle the issue of ticketless travel and encourage commuters to buy valid tickets, Central Railway has decided to introduce an exciting new initiative called “The Lucky Yatra” scheme. Under this program, one lucky commuter will win Rs 10,000 daily, while a bumper prize of Rs 50,000 will be awarded once a week.
According to CR, the scheme started on March 20th and will run for eight weeks, aiming to promote lawful travel among Mumbai’s suburban railway passengers. The initiative is sponsored by FCB Interface Communication Pvt. Ltd., ensuring that passengers do not have to pay any extra fees to participate, said an official of CR. “Currently, the scheme is running as a pilot project only for passengers traveling from CSMT to Karjat/Kasara stations, i.e., only on the main line,” said an official.
How does It Work?
Division selects a UTS number and coveys to Advertising agency daily. They put it on website and passenger has to claim it by registering on website and collect it by coming to CSMT and showing their ticket. If found valid, prize will be given on the spot.
“The scheme is not just about encouraging ticket purchases but also about appreciating honest commuters,” said a railway official. “We want to reward those who follow the rules and ensure a disciplined travel culture in Mumbai’s local trains.”
Who Can Participate?
The scheme is open to all passengers traveling on central railways main line between CSMT- Kasara/ Karjat, including those using single journey tickets, daily tickets, and monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual passes.
With Mumbai’s local trains carrying over 7.5 million passengers daily—nearly 4 million of whom use the suburban train services operated by CR across all four routes, including the Main Line, Harbour Line, Trans-Harbour Line, and the Fourth Corridor (Uran Line)—ticketless travel remains a significant issue. Central Railway officials estimate that around 20% of passengers travel without a valid ticket.
Encouraging Valid Travel
To make ticket purchasing easier, passengers have multiple options, including ticket counters, ATVM machines, mobile tickets, online tickets, and smart cards. The railway authorities urge commuters to buy tickets and participate for a chance to win cash rewards while traveling in dignity on a valid ticket.