The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has almost tripled its non-fare box revenue (NFBR) – income generated from sources other than passenger fares – to Rs 122 crore in FY 2024-25 from Rs 42.5 crore the previous year. According to MMRDA, the 187 per cent hike indicates a healthy move towards developing a financially sustainable and commuter-centric metro rail system in Mumbai.
The total operating revenue, comprising fare and non-fare revenue, increased from Rs 190 crore during FY 2023–24 to Rs 292 crore this fiscal, well above the Rs 200-crore target set at the start of the fiscal.
The increase was mainly possible through licensing of optical fibre cables (Rs 61.72 crore), advertisements at stations (Rs 23.95 crore), advertisements on trains (Rs 7.47 crore), retail shops and kiosks (Rs 8.22 crore), and naming and branding of stations (Rs 9.76 crore). Manpower deployment, telecom infrastructure, and small promotional activities contributed the rest.
Authorities stated that the major increase in NFBR highlights MMRDA’s efforts to diversify revenues without burdening commuters. Revenue from fares also increased by 15.6 per cent, from Rs 147 crore to Rs 170 crore.
MMRDA Chairman and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “The three-fold growth in non-fare revenue isn’t just a financial success, it is a testament to our vision for a successful, contemporary Metro system. It reinforces MMRDA’s absolute dedication to constructing strong infrastructure that enables economic development and better urban life for all Mumbaikars.”
Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, attributed the achievement to their strategic planning. “This unprecedented revenue success was brought about through a well-planned NFBR strategy, facilitated by robust state government support. We exceeded our Rs 200 crore revenue target and reached Rs 292 crore, while maintaining Metro fares reasonable for the citizens,” he said.
In the future, Maha Mumbai Metro, operating Metro Lines 2A and 7, will also explore new revenue streams, including pillar ads, F&B space monetisation, and production shoot rentals across its 30 stations.
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