With the Aqua Line between Aarey and Cuffe Parade now operational, Mumbai’s traditional transport options, kaali-peeli taxis and BEST buses, are already feeling the squeeze.
Within just two days of the Metro’s launch, the city’s commuting patterns have begun to shift, leaving taxi stands half-empty and bus routes noticeably lighter.
At Nariman Point, a line of taxi drivers stood idle on Friday evening, watching empty back seats instead of waving down passengers.
Fewer commuters seen boarding BEST buses at Nariman Point
“Earlier, during peak office hours, I barely got time to breathe. I’d do 10–12 long trips between Nariman Point and CSMT from 5 pm to 9 pm,” said Maya Prasad Singh, a taxi driver of 30 years. “Now, I hardly get three or four passengers. Everyone’s taking the Metro, it’s faster and cheaper.”
Another driver, Krupashankar Shinde, said, “We managed to survive the app taxis in 2016. But now, with bike taxis and the Metro, we don’t know if we’ll make it. Earlier, a few shared rides between CSMT and Nariman Point for R30 per person made our day. Now, people have just turned their backs on us.”
Taxi driver Maya Prasad Singh waits for passengers at Nariman Point; (right) Taxi driver Krupashankar Shinde at Churchgate
And the reason is clear
A Metro ride from Nariman Point to CSMT costs R10 and takes under 10 minutes. The same trip by taxi costs R80–100 and takes twice the time in traffic.
Commuters are happier
“Reaching Churchgate or CSMT from Nariman Point used to take 30 minutes in the evening,” said Saurabh Patil, a marketing professional. “Now it’s barely 10–12 minutes by Metro. Even if I work late, I don’t have to panic about missing my train.”
Sukanya Rajpurohit, who travels daily from Thane to Vidhan Bhavan, agreed. “By taxi or bus, I’d spend R60 a day and 30 minutes each way. Now, the Metro takes just 10 minutes and costs Rs 20 for both directions. Unless it’s past midnight, there’s no reason to take anything else,” she said. “And the AC comfort is unmatched.”
BEST notices a dip
“We’ve seen a 15–20 per cent drop on routes overlapping with the new Metro line, especially Nariman Point–CST, Churchgate–Cuffe Parade, and Worli–Colaba,” said a conductor.
“Office-goers have shifted to the Metro for speed and convenience.”Transport experts say the shift was inevitable, a city embracing modern, high-capacity systems. But for taxi drivers, the change has hit hard.
“Metro ne humara rozgaar kha liya,” said Mohammed Yusuf, a Churchgate driver. “Earlier, passengers lined up for taxis after work. Now, they line up at Metro gates.”
Rs 80-100
Nariman Point to CSMT taxi fare
Rs 10
Nariman Point to CSMT Metro fare
