AC locals ferry 1.5 crore passengers on Mumbai’s Central Railway line from Jan to May

The average daily passenger count rose from 87,596 in 2025 to 1,30,075 in 2026, registering a jump of 48.5 per cent. PIC/CENTRAL RAILWAY

Air-conditioned (AC) local train services operated by Central Railway recorded a sharp rise in passenger occupancy between January 26 and May 20 compared to the corresponding period last year, highlighting the growing preference for AC suburban travel in Mumbai.

According to Central Railway data, the average occupancy in AC local trains stood at 1,664 passengers per service during the period in 2026, compared to 1,474 passengers per service in 2025, marking a 12.9 per cent increase in average passenger load per service.

The increase in occupancy came alongside a substantial rise in the number of services operated. Central Railway ran 8,991 AC local services between January 26 and May 20, 2026, up 31.6 per cent from 6,834 services during the same period in 2025.

As a result, the average daily passenger count rose from 87,596 in 2025 to 1,30,075 in 2026, registering a jump of 48.5 per cent. Passenger load per service also improved from 1,474 in 2025 to 1,664 in 2026, indicating higher occupancy despite the increase in services.

The total number of passengers carried during the period increased to 1.50 crore in 2026 from 1 crore in 2025, reflecting a 50 per cent rise. Daily average revenue also increased to Rs 56 lakh in 2026 from Rs 38.50 lakh in 2025, while total revenue touched Rs 64.40 crore against Rs 44.27 crore during the corresponding period last year.

Central Railway increased AC local services from 66 to 80 on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)-Kalyan/Badlapur/Titwala Main Line in May 2025. Following the introduction of AC local services on the CSMT-Panvel section from January 26, 2026, the total number of AC local services rose to 94. A further addition of 14 services from May 2026 increased the total number of AC local services on Central Railway to 108.

Central Railway said the steady rise in AC local train occupancy

Central Railway said sustained occupancy across all months of 2026, particularly during March and May, reflected increasing demand for AC local trains. The railway said the addition of new services and expansion to new sections had received a positive response from commuters seeking safe, fast and comfortable travel.

"The encouraging passenger response highlights the success of Central Railway's efforts to provide enhanced comfort and a superior travel experience to suburban commuters while strengthening premium mobility options across Mumbai's suburban network," the release stated.

Central Railway also appealed to passengers to purchase valid tickets and travel in designated coaches to ensure a comfortable journey for all commuters.