Hyderabad to Offer Free MMTS Travel from June 2 to Ease Traffic and Pollution

The Telangana government has taken a major decision offering relief to residents of Hyderabad. Aiming to reduce traffic congestion and control pollution , the government led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has approved free travel for all passengers on Multi-Modal Transport System ( MMTS ) trains in the city. The scheme is targeted for implementation from June 2 , marking Telangana Formation Day . Sources indicate that South Central Railway has responded positively to the proposal.

Considering the rising vehicular congestion in the city, the government has taken this step to provide affordable and faster transport to the general public. The state government will bear the estimated annual revenue loss of around ₹10 crore incurred by South Central Railway due to free travel. The railway zone has sought submission of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) , and the scheme will be implemented once final approvals from the Railway Board are obtained.

This decision is expected to reduce travel costs for thousands of IT employees, students, and daily wage workers . It may also ease pressure on buses and make urban commuting more convenient. The move follows the existing scheme providing free bus travel for women , and extending free travel to MMTS for all is likely to become a significant milestone in the city’s transport system .

At present, MMTS in Hyderabad carries about 40,000 to 45,000 passengers daily . Before the COVID-19 pandemic, this number exceeded 1.5 lakh passengers . However, due to reduced services and connectivity issues, ridership has declined. While more than 120 trains operated daily before COVID, currently only 80–88 trains are running. With the introduction of free travel, a significant increase in ridership is anticipated.

While the free MMTS travel scheme is expected to bring changes to the city’s transport system, opinions vary on its impact on congestion. Metro, free buses, and MMTS operate on different routes , which is a key factor. The Metro mainly covers IT corridors , while MMTS routes differ. As a result, Metro congestion may reduce only by 5–10 percent . In areas close to MMTS stations, some commuters may shift from buses, leading to a 10–20 percent reduction in bus crowding on those routes.

However, due to the limited MMTS network and the need for additional transport from stations to final destinations, the importance of the Metro is unlikely to decline significantly. Overall, while the decision may help ease congestion to some extent, it is expected to have a moderate impact on Metro and bus usage .