One of the reasons may be other Superfast trains running ahead. Just consider Mumbai-Jaipur Superfast and Avantika both starting from Mumbai Central and taking only 3 hr 40 min and 3 hr 48 min ( 10 min reduced for Mumbai Central to Bandra time) respectively whereas this shatabdi spl with shatabdi fare of Rs. 465/- takes 4 hr 15 min. Total collapse of the train success. Even if the time is advanced to 6.45pm or even later @ 9.30 pm, the train will run almost empty as the travel time and fare both go against the passengers flavour.
The ideal way to run the train is simple SF train without compulsory catering with II class and CC coaches and...
more...

the dep timing between 7 - 8.30 pm. and travel time at the most 3 hr 30 min.

The timings of this train have now been scheduled to run behind Mumbai-Jaipur Superfast and Avantika Express. A better time would have been to depart from Bandra by 6:45 pm so that it could run in front of these 2 trains and reach Surat by 10-10:15 pm.

The train is meant for Surat ppl to travel in the morning and return in the evening. Mumbai ppl should use Ahmedabad Shatabdi.
.
The train terminates at Bandra on its 1st trip and Vasai on its 2nd trip due to lack of time. If it was to go to Mumbai Central on both its trips, it cannot complete 2 trips in a day.
....
more...

It may not be halting at Borivali in the 1st trip due to megablock at Borivali.

This train seems to have departed with ACCC - 557 available seats out of total 608 seats and AC1st Class - 33 available seats out of total 33 seats)
I agree with the response that the train is meant for Surat people.
However the response for morning Mumbai Bound Shatabdi spl is also poor and very low occupancy appears.
Apart...
more...

from Flying Ranee, number of other fast trains are also available with timing wise hardly any difference say more time of 30 to 45 minutes. However with a stop at Borivali, Andheri & Dadar, the train serves the passenger utility of reaching faster to their ulitmate destination. Here apart from high fare, one has to spend extra time and extra money either for Taxi, Auto or Local train. Also the conveyance conditions at Bandra Rly Station is not satisfactory and since the Rly station is on the far side of the East, one has to take a long walk to catch a local train after alighting from Shatabdi spl at BDTS. 3

The position as appearing in this site :-
Seat & Berth availability :-
Status as of: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:14AM
Chair Car ; AC 1st Class
Rs. 465 ; Rs. 885
Mon Jan 04 Available 557 ;Available 33
Tue Jan 05 Available 589 ;Available 28
Wed Jan 06 Available 605; Available 31
Thu Jan 07 Available 606 ;Available 33
Sat Jan 09 Available 602 ;Available 27
Sun Jan 10 Available 603; Available 33
Mon Jan 11 Available 604; Available 33
Tue Jan 12 Available 602 ;Available 33
Wed Jan 13 Available 601; Available 33
Thu Jan 14 Available 608 ;Available 33
Sat Jan 16 Available 592 ;Available 33
Sun Jan 17 Available 604; Available 33
WR would definitely rethink on the regularisation of this train after the experimental period is over. And for that matter, they are requested to consider following factors :- a) Replace this Shatabdi train by Jan Shatabdi type train b) Introduction of Lean time fare structure c)
Introduce paid catering service as against compulsory catering d) provide stop at Andheri / Borivali e) Extend Surat -Vasai Rd-Surat Shatabdi spl to Borivali. Thanks in advance.