SWR cancels 88 trains citing poor ridership

Most of them operated on intra-State routes

Though a strict lockdown will come into effect from Monday, people who have booked flight and train tickets will be allowed to travel. However, citing poor ridership, South Western Railway (SWR) has cancelled 88 trains, most of which operated on intra-State routes. In the Bengaluru division, 44 express trains and 12 MEMU and 6 DEMU trains have been cancelled till Saturday. Some of the cancellations include trains operating to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) as well as suburban services from Bengaluru city to Marikuppam, Hosur, and others. Chief PRO of SWR Aneesh Hegde said trains with ridership under 30% had been cancelled temporarily. “When the lockdown was imposed, there were no restrictions on train services. However, ridership dropped drastically on certain routes. A decision on resumption of services will be taken after the lockdown is lifted,” he said.