New Delhi: Come 2027 and waiting lists in trains can be a thing of the past for passengers. Sources within the Ministry of Railways have recently revealed an ambitious target to eliminate waiting lists entirely within the next 4-5 years.
From April to October 2023, data revealed a shift in passenger distribution, highlighting a growing preference for economical travel options.
Non-AC coaches, encompassing General and Sleeper classes, carried 95.3% of the total passengers, totalling 372 crore individuals. This marks an increase of 38 crore passengers compared to the previous year, underlining the increasing popularity of budget-friendly travel.
In contrast, AC coaches accommodated 4.7% of the total passengers, totalling 18.2 crore travellers. This represents an increase of 3.1 crore passengers compared to the previous year.
The overall surge in passenger numbers amounted to 41.1 crore, showcasing a 92.5% increase in non-AC passengers (general & sleeper class). This shift reflects changing trends in passenger preferences towards more affordable travel options.
Sources within the ministry revealed that Indian Railways has taken a proactive approach to meeting this demand by expanding its services. In comparison to pre-COVID days, an additional 562 trains are now operational on a daily basis across the IR network.
This expansion spans various categories, with mail/express trains increasing from 1,768 to 2,122, suburban trains from 5,626 to 5,774, and passenger trains from 2,792 to 2,852, resulting in a total of 10,748 trains running each day.
The Ministry of Railways’ forward-looking strategy not only addresses the current surge in demand but also lays the groundwork for a future where waiting lists become a thing of the past.
