Southern Railway Tops Passenger Metrics in FY26; Revenue Jumps to Rs 8,271 Crore
The Southern Railway has emerged as one of the top-performing zones in FY 2025–26, recording significant growth in passenger revenue, occupancy, and ticket utilisation across multiple service indicators.
Passenger revenue from originating services rose to ₹8,271.47 crore, up from ₹7,435.69 crore in the previous year, reflecting a 9.8% increase. The zone generated an additional ₹735.78 crore in revenue during the financial year.
Strong Performance in Special Trains
Southern Railway reported impressive utilisation of special trains, with an average of 1,312 passengers per trip, significantly higher than the national average of 894. The zone operated 229 special trains, covering 2,513 trips and transporting 32.97 lakh passengers.
High Occupancy Levels
Occupancy levels remained robust, with 96% of reserved trains recording occupancy above 75%, compared to the all-India average of 87%. Out of 2.6 lakh train trips, around 2.49 lakh trips operated with occupancy between 75% and 100%.
Notably, six trains from the zone ranked among the top 10 most-occupied services in the country.
Tatkal and Ticket Utilisation Surge
Tatkal bookings also saw strong demand. Over 75% of tatkal berths were filled in 92% of trains, outperforming the national average of 71%. Revenue from tatkal bookings reached ₹267.05 crore, exceeding the estimated potential of ₹263.96 crore.
Additionally, premium tatkal bookings contributed ₹594.36 crore, accounting for 18.63% of total earnings under this category across Indian Railways.
Efficient Seat Utilisation
The zone demonstrated efficient use of vacant seats through current booking systems. Around 5.8 million vacant seats were converted into nearly 9.8 million passenger journeys, achieving a utilisation rate of approximately 170%.
Vande Bharat Services Lead Nationally
Southern Railway also recorded the highest occupancy levels in Vande Bharat services nationwide. The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Central route reported an exceptional 187.78% occupancy, with three other services from the zone also ranking among the top 10.
Key Highlights (FY26):
- ₹8,271.47 crore passenger revenue
- ₹735.78 crore additional revenue
- 1,312 passengers per trip (national average: 894)
- 229 special trains | 2,513 trips | 32.97 lakh passengers
- 96% trains with over 75% occupancy
- 6 trains in top 10 most-occupied services
- Highest occupancy in Vande Bharat services
- ₹267.05 crore from tatkal bookings
