Mumbai Local News: CR Sees 2% Rise In Footfall in 2024; Remains Below Pre-COVID Levels

The average daily passenger count on Central Railway (CR)'s Mumbai local trains has increased by over 2% in 2024 compared to 2023, according to an official data released on Tuesday, January 21. However, the figures remain below pre-pandemic levels.

CR took 12,020 lakh passengers across both local and long-distance trains as compared to 11,740 lakh passengers during the corresponding period last year. This represents a 2.4% increase compared to the previous year.

This includes 10,580 lakh suburban passengers carried this year against 10,360 lakh footfall recorded last year, which is an increase of more than 2 per cent.

Of these, 1440 lakh passengers were on long-distance trains, against 1380 lakh commuters carried last year, showing a 4.3% rise from 2023.

Owing to this, the railways have earned INR 5,570 crore as passenger earnings during this till December 2024 as against INR 5,400 crore during the corresponding period last year marking an increase of 3.15%. This includes INR 722 crore through suburban earnings till December 2024, this FY as against INR 684 crore for the same period last year which is an increase of more than 5.50% and INR 4,849 crore through non suburban earnings as against INR 4,717 crore for the same period last year which is an increase of 2.79%.

Notably, in December 2024 alone, CR carried 138 million passengers (including 122 million suburban and 16 million non-suburban) and earned a revenue of INR 605 crore (including INR 84 crore as suburban earnings and INR 521 crore as non-suburban earnings).

Meanwhile, from April to December 2024, the daily average was 38.4 lakh passengers. In contrast, 39.3 lakh commuters travelled daily on trains running from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Karjat, Kasara, and Panvel.

As per reports, total number of ticketless travel commuters' data was not included, though it remains immense.

Previous data revealed stated that between April and December 2024, 19.09 lakh ticketless travellers were fined, contributing INR 111.62 crore in revenue. According to sources, 10% to 15% of train passengers travel without tickets.

Reports also suggest that ticket-checking staff have been instructed to monitor first-class and air-conditioned compartments closely. These sections often generate complaints.