Mumbai: Western Railway sees lower ridership but higher revenue, thanks to AC local trains

There is a growing demand for AC services on the Western Railway suburban network. FILE PIC

Mumbai's suburban railway network on Western Railway (WR) is witnessing a curious post-pandemic trend: while daily ridership remains below pre-COVID levels, revenue has not only recovered but surpassed earlier figures - all this because of AC local trains. WR runs as many as 133 AC local trains on its suburban section.

Shift in trend

Addressing a press conference, WR Mumbai Divisional Manager Pankaj Singh said the increase in earnings is due to a change in passenger mix, as more people are now opting for AC Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). Another factor is the post-pandemic travel behaviour. With hybrid work models still in place, the number of daily office commuters - once the bulk of suburban traffic - has not fully rebounded. At the same time, occasional and non-regular travellers are more likely to purchase single tickets instead of heavily subsidised monthly passes, improving per-passenger revenue.

Shift to other modes

Singh also pointed to growth of the Mumbai Metro system and expansion of the road network, which is gradually offloading the dense crush load from the Mumbai suburban network - particularly those willing to pay for more comfortable journeys. Despite the dip in ridership, WR's suburban system appears to be moving toward a more revenue-efficient as well as a more comfortable system, where higher yields per passenger offset lower volumes.

Official Speak

Pankaj Singh, Mumbai divisional manager, Western Railway
In March 2026, about 53.71 lakh passengers used AC locals. There has been a noticeable rise in commuters opting for first-class and AC local services, which yield higher fares. Additionally, stricter enforcement against ticketless travel has improved compliance and contributed to higher collections.

Commuters/revenue earned

Pre-COVID levels
Daily passengers : Rs 34.87 lakh
Daily revenue: Rs 29.52 lakh

Current levels
Daily passengers: Rs 2.12 crore
Daily revenue: Rs 2.39 crore

133
No of AC local trains Western Railway operates