GAINS ACCEPTANCE: MMTS commuters during office hours at Begumpet railway station in Hyderabad. — PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: Despite most promises made at the time of its launch remaining unfulfilled, the Multi Modal Transit System (MMTS) connecting Serilingampally with Nampally on one route and Falaknuma via Secunderabad on another, appears to have succeeded in gaining patronage. Gone is the sight of empty services chugging from station to station. These days most of the services, particularly the ones during office hours, are packed and at times even the vendors' cabins are full .

After the spinal road connecting Hi-Tec Station with Cyber Towers came up, there has been a considerable rise in patronage, say commuters.

Apart from that, the service that initially won appreciation for sticking to the time schedule has turned a favourite for office goers who stay close to MMTS stations.

"Forget a seat, some evenings, I find it hard to get toe space," says Amarender Rao, who commutes between Hafeezpet and Begumpet. A regular user since the inception of the service, he says the number of commuters has risen considerably despite assurances on common rail-road pass and increase in the number of trips remaining on paper. Given the situation, several criticise the South Central Railway's (SCR) refrain that the service is not getting encouraging patronage.

There are no services from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and commuters say many would use the service if that gap is addressed.

"If some one finishes his work and wants to return home at KPHB colony or Hafeezpet at say 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., there is no service available," rues Mujahed Ali of Hafeezpet. Some commuters also point to the lack of ticket inspection on the services, which is encouraging free-trippers.

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