Mumbai :In Mumbai Suburban trains – the life line of the city, lakhs of commuters travel every day. However, to study the current passenger count, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has conducted a survey and the latest figures will be out next month. At present, around 80 lakh people travel every day in Mumbai local trains, senior railway officials believe.
In the last survey conducted in 2006, the passenger count was recorded 67 lakh travelling per day. However, with the increase in population in the city and increase in train services in last few years, the passenger count will differ. “The main objective of the survey is to study the passenger count per coach and passenger loading patterns per train,” MRVC spokesperson Prabhat Ranjan said.
The MRVC has given the contract to IMRB International – a market research firm, to conduct the survey. The counting was started in third week of April on all three railway lines – the harbour, central and western. In the 20 days counting process, the firm had appointed enumerators on every station to record the passenger boarding and alighting pattern. While some enumerators also travelled in the trains to head count passengers.
“In every train four compartments were chosen viz, first and second ladies and first and second class general compartment. The survey was conducted in the morning and evening peak hours that is 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 5.30 pm respectively and on working days only.” Ranjan explained.
The data which was collected in this survey is presently being analysed and the firm will submit its report to MRVC in the first week of June. In last 10 years, many train services are added while some trains are converted from 12 coaches to 15 coaches which has increased the passenger carrying capacity.
The report will not only reveal the number of commuters travelling in Mumbai local trains every day but will also study the passenger flow. This study will help the railways to improve its services according to passenger demand.
