Mumbai: Local Trains in Mumbai has witnessed ridership since the onset of the pandemic. Almost after two years after the pandemic struck, the passenger ridership in Mumbai local trains has now started to inch more closer to pre-Covid levels.
Over 60 lakh passengers are now commuting in the country’s largest suburban and urban transport network on a daily basis, revealed the latest government data. As per the data, this is the highest passenger footfall Mumbai local trains have seen after the resumption of full-fledged services. Before Covid-19 lockdown, around 80 lakh passengers used to commute in the Mumbai local trains, reported the Indian Express.
Everyday, Western Railway and Central Railway run 1,375 and 1,810 local trains, respectively. In February, Central Railway registered an average daily ridership of 30.84 lakh. However, the number has reached 35.89 lakh by March 16, showed the government data.
Likewise, Western Railway saw 24.78 lakh passengers commuting in local trains in February. It is at 27.14 lakh per day as of March 16. In August last year, the Maharashtra government had announced the reopening of services for passengers who were fully vaccinated and had completed 14 days after receiving the second dose.
With Maharashtra government easing Covid-related restrictions, the number is likely to increase, believe railway officials.
Railway officials said that the passenger footfall has increased as most citizens in Mumbai and neighbouring cities have now been vaccinated.
Almost 98% of adults have been vaccinated in Mumbai, 87% in Raigad, 74% in Thane and 79% in Palghar till March 16, as per the state government data.
“Ridership on Mumbai suburban trains is getting closer to the pre-Covid time even though many companies have a work-from-home policy. It is a sign that passengers are returning and the workforce is back in the city,” a railway official was quoted as saying by the English daily.
