New Delhi : Despite the rail accidents reported in the last one year, the Indian Railways has remained the number one choice for commuters as it ferried five crore more persons from April 1 to November 20 compared to last year, leading to an income increase of Rs 1,579 crore, a senior official said.

“The Railways, compared with last year, ferried five crore more passengers between April 1 and November 20,” Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohammad Jamshed said here on Thursday.

“Between April 1 and November 20, 2016, Railways earned Rs 30,214 crore as passenger fare, compared with Rs 31,793 crore this year for the same period,” he said. The earnings through flexi fares was Rs 358 crore.

“This showcases public trust in the Railways,” he added.

At least 150 people died and over 300 passengers were injured after the Patna-Indore Express jumped the tracks near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh on November 20 last year. There have been rail accidents before and after this incident as well, leading to scores of deaths.

—IANS