It has been almost a month since the operation of MEMU train services to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) commenced, but patronage to the services has remained poor. The trains are running almost empty on a daily basis.
The South Western Railway (SWR) is operating seven pairs of trains, including five pairs of MEMU trains. Last week, the maximum number of passengers travelling per train did not cross 25 and there were instances of only three or four people travelling in the train. The MEMU train has six coaches and a carrying capacity of 100 per coach.
Officials say average revenue generated is around ₹800 per day. It costs up to ₹35 to travel in a MEMU train to reach the airport.