Central Railway Non-Fare Revenue Hits Rs 20 Crore With Thane Kiosks And Ad Deals

Central Railway (CR) recorded a 17 percent growth in its non-fare revenue, reaching over Rs 20 crore up to May, driven by asset monetisation and commercial initiatives across the Mumbai Division, including Thane, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, and the Mulund-Goregaon Link Road. CR chief spokesperson Swapnil Nila announced on Sunday that the revenue grew from Rs 17 crore during the corresponding period last year, marking a successful push to diversify earnings beyond passenger fares.

In May alone, the railway zone awarded 29 contracts through e-auctions, generating an annual licence fee of Rs 4 crore. A significant portion of this revenue came from mobile asset advertising. Under these contracts, the Mumbai Division leased full external vinyl wraps and interior media rights on several premium trains for five-year periods.

These train advertising contracts included the Mahanagari Express for Rs 13.2 lakh per annum, the Deccan Express and Janshatabdi Express for Rs 12.50 lakh, and services on the CSMT-Latur and CSMT-Bidar routes for Rs 6.5 lakh each. Additionally, advertising rights on headrests in the CSMT-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express fetched Rs 17 lakh annually.

Out-of-home advertising also contributed strongly to the revenue. Three hoardings on Navi Mumbai Airport Road secured Rs 1.32 crore per annum, while a site on the Mulund-Goregaon Link Road earned Rs 17.10 lakh annually. Station-based commercial activities further expanded the railway's earnings. At Thane station, the railway awarded contracts for canteens, kiosks, and a battery swapping station.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai Division awarded a contract for a rail coach restaurant at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus for Rs 48.1 lakh annually. According to Nila, Central Railway continues to leverage its assets innovatively to boost revenue and enhance passenger amenities without impacting core train operations.