Passenger load remains low on trains to Mumbai – Times of India

PUNE: The passenger load on the two Pune-Mumbai special trains, started by the Central Railways last week after several months, has been dismal.
The bookings for the second week, has been disappointing too, said railway officials. “While there has been an rise in the number of bookings this week compared to last week, we cannot call it satisfactory. We have not been able to fathom the reason for the low passenger load. It could be that people are still hesitant to travel by trains,” an official at the Pune rail division said.
The railways have started two local trains between Pune and Lonavla. However, only those engaged in essential services are allowed to board these trains. Vikas Deshpande, secretary, Daund-Pune-Daund Pravasi Sangh, said, “We have written letters to everyone, including the police commissioner, the collector and politicians requesting them to start at least one local train between Daund and Pune, but to no avail.”
Talegaon resident Ravindra Raut (52) said he still travels to Mazgaon in Mumbai on his bike. “Pass holders or general ticket travellers are not allowed to board the trains,” Raut said.
Railway Pravasi Group chairman Harsha Shah said close to 20,000 pass holders, apart from general ticket holders, used to travel on the inter-city trains between Pune and Mumbai daily.