Traveled in the new Mangalore-Madgaon DEMU yesterday from MAJN to BYNR. The train which was running with 5-10% occupancy is now getting 90-95% patronage due to its extended run upto Madgaon! I was in the first coach(motor car with 30 seats). That coach had just 50% occupancy with 16 passengers. The second coach had 80% and the last 3 coaches had 100% occupancy with standees in the last coach(motor coach with 30 seats).
So this experiment is a total success! Many of the passengers were to Kumta and Karwar and the rest to Madgaon.
Majority...
more... of the Passengers boarded from Mangalore Junction(about 100)
Udupi(about 80 roughly)
Surathkal(50)
Mulki(25-30)
Padubidri(10-15). The train had about 50% occupancy from Mangalore Central itself. So if the timings of the Intercity are changed, even that'll be a success no doubt!