Pune: The special summer trains introduced to reduce the rush and provide convenience for passengers during the summer vacations have received an overwhelming response.
The Pune Railway Division operated 264 trips of 132 summer special trains in April and May, generating approximately ₹21.87 crore in revenue.
During the summer holidays, many people plan trips to their hometowns or tourist destinations, leading to a significant increase in train bookings. This year, the regular trains for the summer season were fully booked three months in advance.
The demand was further heightened by the Lok Sabha elections, causing a surge in passengers traveling to their hometowns or tourist spots. In response, the railway administration ran the highest number of special trains in April and May, which were met with excellent passenger turnout.
Tripling of Revenue
In the fiscal year 2022-23, the Pune Railway Division operated 57 special trains, earning ₹7.79 crore in revenue. This year, the number of special trains increased to 132, resulting in a substantial rise in revenue to ₹21.87 crore, a significant increase of ₹14 crore.
Highest Number of Special Trains to the North
The highest demand for summer special trains was on routes from Pune to northern destinations. Some trains had waiting lists exceeding seven to eight thousand passengers.
Consequently, the majority of special trains were operated on routes to Danapur, Gorakhpur, Ajmer, Ayodhya, Jhansi, and Hubli. Special trains were also run on routes to Nagpur, Guwahati, and Gondia. These special trains were particularly beneficial for citizens traveling to their hometowns to vote during the elections.
"Given the high demand from passengers during the summer holidays, we operated 132 special trains in April and May this year. These trains generated nearly ₹22 crore in revenue and provided much-needed convenience to passengers," said Dr. Milind Hirve, Senior Commercial Manager, Pune Railway Division.
Key Highlights
Summer special trains operated in 2023-24: 132
Trips made by summer special trains in 2023-24: 264
Revenue generated from summer special trains in 2023-24: ~₹21.87 crore
