Mumbai Metro 2A & 7 cut daily travel by 50 mins but failed to shift car users: IIT Study

Mumbai Metro Lines 2A and 7 have significantly reduced daily commute times and improved rider satisfaction, according to a recent IIT-Bombay study. The two corridors, operational since January 2023 and covering 35 km across the western suburbs, save 81% of users an average of 26 minutes per trip, over 50 minutes daily.

The research, titled How New Metro Lines Shape a Sustainable Future: A Before-After Study of Travel Behaviour, Perceptions, and Emissions in MMR, was conducted by PhD scholar Abhijna M and professors K V Krishna Rao and Vedagiri Perumal from IIT-Bombay’s civil engineering department.

The study found that 88% of Metro users live within one kilometre of a station, and 90% work within the same distance. Walking remains the most common access mode, with over 60% choosing to walk.

As per report, Metro primarily drew commuters away from suburban trains (26.4%), buses (24.1%), two-wheelers (19.4%), and autorickshaws (17.2%). Only 7.8% of users gave up private cars—highlighting poor last-mile links and the absence of park-and-ride facilities.

Meanwhile, the air quality has seen a positive impact and perceptions of service have improved. While 42% previously rated their commute as “fair,” 63.5% now describe their Metro experience as “very good.”