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.