Heeding widespread discontent and protests by commuters, the Maharashtra government has permitted single-journey tickets for local train travel in the city for fully vaccinated citizens. The Central Railway moved swiftly saying it would open a few ticket-vending machines with physical validators to authenticate vaccination certificates, while the Western Railway said it was yet to take a decision on the ticket machines. Through a letter to the railways on the night of October 30, the state government paved the way for single-journey local tickets for the fully vaccinated.

“Full vaccination is now mandatory, essential workers or not. Tickets would be given to all those who have completed 14 days after two vaccines, those who have an outstation train ticket, going for any government-recognised exams on showing exam hall ticket, or for the vaccine on showing a CoWin appointment and all those under 18,” a senior official said. “It would be better if commuters procure universal pass, which is available for all those eligible, as it will avoid the last-minute hassle of stamping the certificate,” he added.