India launched its first Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) car train between Maharashtra and Goa, but demand has remained surprisingly low since bookings opened last week. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

India Faces Low Demand for Ro-Ro Train Launch
Source, photo: www.logisticsinsider.in

The inaugural journey on August 23 has only one car registered so far, casting doubt on the project’s short-term success.

Operated by Konkan Railway, the Ro-Ro train was introduced to provide a smoother travel option for those heading to Goa during the Ganesh Chaturthi season. Each train can accommodate 40 vehicles, but a minimum of 16 bookings is needed to run. If that target isn’t met, the trip will be canceled and refunds issued.

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India Faces Passenger Concerns Over Route and Timing

India’s travelers raised concerns over the lack of intermediate stops at Ratnagiri and Sawantwadi. These stations lack proper infrastructure for loading and unloading vehicles. As a result, the train runs non-stop, which discourages users planning hometown visits.

Only 38 inquiries have come in since launch, signaling public hesitation. Many passengers prefer driving directly, especially since the rail journey takes 12 hours, with an extra three hours for check-in and vehicle loading. That adds up to a total travel time similar to driving.

India’s Pricing and Scheduling Strategy Under Scrutiny

India’s pricing strategy has also sparked criticism. The cost of one vehicle ticket stands at $94.50 (converted from ₹7,875), excluding passenger fares. For many families, this is not cost-effective compared to traditional travel.

Akshay Mahapadi of the Akhand Konkan Railway Pravasi Seva Samiti suggested that launching during the New Year holidays might have drawn better demand. That season sees heavier traffic and higher demand for travel services.

Critics also argue that the Ro-Ro consumes limited train path slots on the already busy Konkan Railway route. Central Railway will run 250 Ganpati special trains, and Western Railway plans 44. Using valuable resources for an underbooked service may not be justified during the festival rush.

India’s Ro-Ro initiative offers a forward-thinking model for future travel, but its current form seems misaligned with consumer behavior. Without swift adjustments in pricing, scheduling, and infrastructure, the project may struggle to gain traction.

Source, photo: www.logisticsinsider.in

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