In the midst of a relentless heatwave gripping Mumbai, the city’s air-conditioned local train services have experienced an extraordinary surge in patronage.
Western Railway (WR) reported a staggering 2.48 lakh commuters on May 6, marking the highest daily footfall ever recorded inside AC locals, with ticket sales reaching 32,016. Similarly, Central Railway (CR) witnessed 1.41 lakh commuters availing themselves of AC local services on the same day, facilitated by the sale of 18,932 tickets.
Acknowledging the escalating popularity of AC local services, WR officials have highlighted concerns regarding the limited availability of AC rakes. Currently, WR operates 96 services of AC locals on weekdays, with eight rakes servicing the Churchgate-Virar route. Authorities have confirmed a significant increase in the number of commuters opting for AC locals. A WR official noted a substantial rise in season ticket issuance, reaching a record-high of 3,737 on a single day. Moreover, ticket sales for this month have surged to 1.61 lakh, marking a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. Since May 1, the daily average number of commuters traveling on the Virar-Churchgate route via fast and slow AC locals has soared to 1.53 lakh, significantly surpassing last year’s figures. Responding to the surge in demand, senior WR officials have initiated discussions with the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai for the procurement of an additional AC rake.
Central Railway has also witnessed a substantial uptick in AC local services, ferrying an average of 91,000 commuters daily since May 1, compared to last year’s figure of 58,150. The revenue from ticket sales has surged from an average of ₹24 lakh per day to nearly ₹36 lakh. However, amidst the burgeoning demand, AC trains have also grappled with ticketless travellers. WR data for April revealed over 4,000 ticketless commuters apprehended inside AC locals, resulting in fines exceeding ₹13 lakh. Across the board, 98,000 ticketless travellers were caught in April, with fines totalling over ₹5 crore. The surge in AC local patronage amid scorching temperatures underscores the necessity for expanded infrastructure and efficient management to cater to Mumbai’s burgeoning commuter population.
