Getting Around Mumbai

Mumbai is known for its excellent public transportation system, specially, buses. The local trains in Mumbai are also a good option to travel around the city and its suburbs. You can also avail of the services of the Auto – Rickshaws and the taxis. Bombay (or Mumbai as it’s now known) is a bustling metropolis. When you find yourself on the streets of Bombay, the first strong stimulus is the staggering number of people! Population density is among the highest in the world and not surprisingly space is at a premium. Traffic crawls in the direction of any place that matters in this city.

The quickest way to get around the city is by its local trains. Trains are the quickest and the most inconvenient mode of travel, unless you’re going in the “opposite” direction. Over the years, Bombay has become home to a shifting population - the commercial southern side takes the burden during the day whereas the suburbs follow suit in the evening after work hours.

Every one who is active and earning wants to go to “town side” (i.e. Churchgate/VT/Nariman Point) in the mornings for work, and returns to the suburbs (Andheri/Borivali/Thane/Vashi) after work. That’s why the trains are packed in the “down” direction (i.e. going southwards) in the morning, and jammed with people in the “up” direction (i.e. northbound) in the evenings. Office peak hours stretch from almost 8 am to 12 noon and from 5 pm to 9 pm. During this time the local trains are almost fully packed and one must have to face many difficulties while catching the trains. But if you travel in the direction opposite to the office rush, you will find the trains empty! To enter and travel in a crowded train you need to be mentally quick, alert and uncompromising to survive the onslaught of bestiality in humans.

The other forms of transport available are the city’s buses (often taking too long to get from point A to point B); these local buses are known as BEST. Around 3500 local buses are there in Mumbai. Taxi cabs (usually available in town, south of Bandra/Sion) and autorickshaws (only allowed to run in the suburbs). Taxis are horribly expensive and often in bad shape, many of them being more than 8-10 years old. However, AC cabs have also been introduced some years ago, and these are better maintained and equipped with airconditioning, though more expensive.

Driving in the city is not recommended as it can be a frustrating experience for everybody. If you can afford AC cab or private taxi then hire it. If not, make the most of the local trains.