Apprehension Study of Passengers Travelling by Mumbai Suburban Trains

Since its inception, passenger traffic on Mumbai suburban trains has increased by many fold whereas the capacity has been augmented from 9-car to 12-car/15-car rakes inadequately. The super dense crush load on the train floor is approximately 14-16 standing passengers per square meter. During 2002-2012, more than 36,000 lives have been lost on Mumbai suburban trains either due to avoidable reasons such as falling off due to overcrowding, trespassing, or getting hit by poles, etc.

Every passenger experiences great difficulties and fear to travel by suburban train during most of the time of the day; especially during peak hours. This is mainly due to undisciplined and unplanned passenger flow on the platform, while boarding/alighting and onboard train.

This is going to be continued phenomenon for next many years, as demand will always prevail over supply of local trains in Mumbai.

The findings of this study are based on the analysis of a sample of 122 respondents and their sensitivity while boarding, alighting and onboard train. The questionnaire with 5- point likert scale is used to understand the apprehensive feelings of passengers travelling in Mumbai suburban trains.