Commuter bodies from far-flung suburbs are telling the state government to think of people living beyond Mumbai in a letter that seeks to highlight the plight of students.

“Schools and colleges of higher education and technical ITIs (industrial training institutes) outside Mumbai limits have resumed and students staying at places beyond Thane and Virar find it difficult to commute in the absence of local trains as local road transport infrastructure is weak. If they cannot restart locals immediately, railways must at least allow these kids to travel in trains,” Shailesh Raut of Kalyan-Kasara Railway Passengers Welfare Association said.