Locals on Western Railway have always been the heart of Mumbai, helping Mumbaikars travel quickly and making them one of the city’s most important transport modes. However, the number of passengers dropped during COVID-19. Even after years, ridership has not fully recovered, but interestingly, revenue has increased. How? Scroll down to find out!
Why Did Ridership Decrease In Western Railway Mumbai Locals?
On locals at Western Railway, ridership has still not returned to pre-COVID levels. But that doesn’t mean there is any shortage of revenue. In fact, current revenue has already crossed earlier numbers, and much of the credit goes to the AC local trains. According to Mid Day, Western Railway currently runs 133 AC local trains on its suburban routes. According to Mumbai Divisional Manager Pankaj Singh, more passengers are now choosing these AC Electric Multiple Units (EMUs). However, compared to normal local trains, these AC trains charge higher fares. In short, higher fares eventually mean a boost in earnings.
The reason why the number of people travelling in local trains has reduced is that travel habits have changed. Many office-goers are still working in hybrid mode, so the daily rush to catch a train just isn’t the same anymore. Honestly, it feels like people have gotten used to a more relaxed routine.
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How Many Passengers Are Using AC Locals?
The railways have also noticed competition from other transport options. According to Mid Day, the expansion of the Mumbai Metro and better road networks is slowly reducing the heavy crowd in local trains. People who can afford it are choosing more comfortable travel options.
In March 2026, around 53.71 lakh passengers travelled by AC locals alone. This shows a clear rise in demand for premium travel options like first-class and AC coaches, which generate better revenue. Currently, the revenue of Western Railway has increased to ₹2.39 crore, which earlier was ₹29.52 lakh.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/ Adam Cohn
FAQs
Why has ridership in Mumbai locals reduced?
Many Mumbaikars have now started hybrid jobs, which has reduced their travel. At the same time, other modes like the Mumbai Metro are offering a more comfortable experience.