Overview
- Central Railway reported that AC local services carried 1.50 crore passengers between January 26 and May 20, 2026, averaging about 1,30,075 riders per day during that period.
- The network expanded routes and frequency by adding AC runs on the CSMT–Panvel section from January 26 and by increasing daily services to 108 after 14 more trains were added in May 2026.
- Operations grew to 8,991 AC local services in the January–May window, up 31.6% from 6,834 a year earlier, while average passengers per service rose from 1,474 to 1,664, a 12.9% increase.
- Revenue from AC local operations climbed with period earnings at Rs 64.40 crore and daily average takings near Rs 56 lakh, compared with Rs 44.27 crore and Rs 38.50 lakh in the previous year.
- Railway officials urged commuters to buy valid tickets and use designated AC coaches to manage crowding, a message that reflects both the service’s popularity and likely operational pressure on ticketing and coach allocation as demand grows.