As summer vacation season approaches, South Western Railway (SWR) emerges as a beacon of ease and comfort for travelers across the country. With 53 trains making a total of 338 trips on popular routes that connect major cities and tourist attractions, SWR's summer special trains offer an essential response to the seasonal rise in railway passengers. In April 2024, SWR achieved extraordinary success, surpassing revenue projections and reaching great passenger occupancy rates, signifying a fundamental shift in the way travelers experience rail travels.
Catering to Seasonal Demand:
The summer season brings with it a large rise in train passengers as people and families embark on holidays, pilgrimages, and visits to loved ones. SWR understands the importance of providing continuous mobility throughout this season and addresses the challenge through its customized summer special trains. By operating on popular routes that connect major towns and tourist attractions, SWR hopes to alleviate crowding on regular services and boost travel convenience for passengers.
Exceeding Expectations: A Triumph in Revenue and Occupancy
The SWR had operated 53 trains this summer as compared to 28 trains during the previous year with an increase of 89.28% to ensure that more passengers can travel to their desired destinations.
“To ensure the convenience of passengers and manage the anticipated surge in travel demand during summers, the SWR had operated a record-breaking 338 trips during the summer season," in April 2024.
The revenue generated from Summer Special trains has soared to a staggering Rs 22.89 Cr. This figure represents a remarkable increase compared to the previous year's earnings of Rs 9.76 Cr. The substantial growth in revenue is 134% more than the corresponding previous year.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the significant increase in the number of passengers traveling via these special services. A total of 2.71 lakh passengers embarked on journeys to various destinations this summer, compared to the 1.70 lakh passengers recorded during the same period last year, with an increase of 59.92% passengers.
The KSR Bengaluru-Danapur line is one of the best-performing summer special train routes in SWR's network, with impressive revenue and booking rates with an earning Rs 88.86 lakhs.
Some of the Major states that connects by SWR summer Special trains are Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Utter Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Telangana, Assam.
Prioritizing Passenger Comfort with Innovative Amenities
SWR's dedication to passenger welfare is centered on the provision of innovative amenities that improve travel comfort and convenience. Cold drinking facilities are available at all railway stations along the route to keep passengers hydrated and refreshed while also offering relief from the summer heat. Furthermore, general coach passengers are provided “Jantha Aahar” with reasonable food prices at key railway stations, for Rs 20 and 50 allowing them to enjoy healthful and cost-effective refreshments throughout their journey. These programs focus passenger well-being while also making travel more fun and stress-free.
Adopting a Passenger-Centric Approach
As SWR commemorates the success of its summer special trains, it confirms its commitment to a passenger-focused approach to rail travel. By focusing on convenience, comfort, and safety, SWR hopes to provide passengers with memorable and hassle-free journeys, developing a favorable and lasting impression of train travel. As the summer season begins and tourists set out on their travels, they can rely on SWR to continue providing dependable, efficient, and passenger-friendly services, ensuring that each journey is memorable.
South Western Railway's summer special trains are the pinnacle of operational efficiency and passenger-centricity in rail travel. SWR's specialized services connect major cities and tourist locations across the country, aiming to reduce crowding and improve travel convenience during the busy summer season. With innovative amenities, smooth operations, and a firm dedication to passenger welfare, SWR continues to raise the bar for train travel, ensuring that every voyage is memorable.
General Manager of South Western Railway Arvind Srivastava appreciated the efforts and revenue increase of these special trains and said these special trains would be useful not only for vacationers but also for migrant workers who return to their hometowns during the summer season.
