A study by Central Railway`s public relations department revealed that commuters buying one-time single-journey tickets pay 11 paise per km for second class, Rs 1.25 per km for first class and Rs 1.40 per km for travelling in AC locals. Trains in the dense suburban rail network run at an average speed of 45 kmph, indicating it offers commuters the cheapest and fastest services in the world. Officials said an investment of Rs 52,724 crore is underway in the Mumbai suburban system to increase its capacity.

Monthly passes, which enable commuters to take unlimited unquestionable journeys, further lower the cost. For an average journey of 25 days, the cost comes to about 13 paise per km for second class, 0.44 paise per km for first class and R1.06 per km for travelling via AC local. The figures for 30 days of travel are as impressive: 11 paise per km for second class, 37 paise per km for first class and 88 paise per km for AC local train.