State wise Public Transport Ridership in India 2025

Rank	Region Name	Average Daily Ridership (in millions)
1	Maharashtra	12.5
2	Uttar Pradesh	8.2
3	Delhi	7.8
4	West Bengal	6.9
5	Bihar	6.1
6	Tamil Nadu	5.8
7	Karnataka	5.2
8	Gujarat	4.5
9	Andhra Pradesh	3.9
10	Madhya Pradesh	3.7
11	Rajasthan	3.2
12	Telangana	2.9
13	Punjab	2.4
14	Haryana	2.1
15	Odisha	1.9
16	Kerala	1.7
17	Jharkhand	1.5
18	Assam	1.2
19	Chhattisgarh	1.1
20	Chandigarh	0.9
21	Uttarakhand	0.8
22	Himachal Pradesh	0.6
23	Jammu and Kashmir	0.5
24	Goa	0.4
25	Puducherry	0.3
26	Tripura	0.25
27	Meghalaya	0.2
28	Manipur	0.18
29	Nagaland	0.15
30	Mizoram	0.14
31	Sikkim	0.12
32	Arunachal Pradesh	0.1
33	DNHDD	0.08
34	Ladakh	0.07
35	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	0.05
36	Lakshadweep	0.02

India’s public transportation system serves as the foundation for mobility for more than 1.4 billion individuals, managing an estimated 85 million journeys each day by 2025.

This table ranks all 36 states and union territories based on their average daily ridership, measured in millions, which includes buses, railways, and metros.

Maharashtra is at the forefront with 12.5 million riders, largely due to the suburban rail services in Mumbai, whereas Lakshadweep is at the bottom with 0.02 million, a result of its geographical isolation.

These statistics, projected from data available in mid-2025, indicate an 8% national increase from 2024, driven by urban growth and initiatives such as the Shakti scheme, which provides free bus travel for women.

Urban states occupy the top positions, representing 70% of the total ridership, as cities attract 12 million migrants annually.

However, rural and northeastern areas are falling behind, highlighting the disparities in infrastructure. This gap emphasizes India’s dual challenge: maintaining the efficiency of mega-cities while improving connectivity to remote areas.

Government investments amounting to ₹1.5 trillion in 2025 are aimed at electrification and the introduction of e-buses, which promise to create more sustainable transport networks.

As ridership increases, ensuring equitable access is crucial for inclusive growth, which could lead to a 12% reduction in emissions in leading states and alleviate road congestion that results in 150,000 fatalities each year.

Urban Powerhouses Propel National Ridership

Maharashtra holds the leading position with 12.5 million daily riders, primarily due to Mumbai’s local trains transporting 8 million commuters among a population of 21 million.

The Western and Central Railways provide 4,000 services each day, capturing 70% of workforce travel in this region, which contributes 12% to the GDP.

BEST buses contribute an additional 3 million trips, while the metro system adds 1.5 million.

The state’s 2 million annual migrants depend on an average fare of ₹20; the electrification planned for 2025 is expected to reduce delays by 20%, thereby increasing ridership by 9%.

Dense urban corridors such as Mumbai-Pune necessitate high modal shares, with public transport accounting for 50% of trips compared to the national average of 20%.

Uttar Pradesh ranks second with 8.2 million riders, driven by the Lucknow and Kanpur metros, which serve 1.2 million, alongside 6 million rail passengers from the Allahabad and Varanasi hubs.

The state’s population of 240 million fuels intra-state travel; UPSRTC buses handle 1.5 million trips, supported by a 15% reduction in poverty since 2020, which enhances job accessibility.

Rail junctions accommodate 500,000 passengers daily, yet overcrowding remains an issue in unreserved classes, where 80% of travelers are crammed into general coaches.

Delhi occupies the third position with 7.8 million riders, as the metro’s 4.6 million users surpass global counterparts like New York.

DTC buses and clusters contribute an additional 2.5 million, while the Orange Line rail adds 700,000.

The 30 million residents of the NCR demand efficiency; subsidies maintain fares between ₹10-60, attracting 80% of women following the implementation of free schemes.

The spillover from Gurugram enhances Haryana’s linked statistics, although traffic congestion still results in a loss of 100 hours annually for each commuter.

West Bengal’s 6.9 million ridership is centered around Kolkata’s circular rail and metro, which serve 4 million, with WBTC buses accounting for 2 million.

The delta geography favors rail transport; Howrah station manages 1 million arrivals, supporting industries such as jute and IT. The revival of trams contributes to a 7% annual increase, alleviating congestion by 10%.

Bihar’s 6.1 million ridership is primarily from Patna’s rail services, which cater to 3 million migrants, while BRTC buses provide 2.5 million trips for short rural journeys.

Low income levels drive 90% of travel to be short-distance; the introduction of 500 new buses is expected to yield a 10% growth, addressing 60% of rural transportation needs.

Southern States Balance Metro and Bus Networks

Tamil Nadu reports 5.8 million in total ridership, with Chennai MTC buses leading at 3.5 million and the metro contributing 1.5 million.

The rail systems in Coimbatore and Madurai enhance suburban connectivity.

The auto industry provides jobs for 1 million individuals, while e-bus pilot programs have reduced fares by 15%, attracting college students.

Karnataka’s total of 5.2 million includes 1 million riders on the Bengaluru Namma Metro and 4 million on BMTC buses, following a remarkable 151% increase in female ridership due to the Shakti initiative.

With 13 million residents facing average commutes of 2 hours, the Phase 2 extensions will add 20 kilometers, alleviating congestion in Whitefield.

Gujarat achieves 4.5 million riders through the Ahmedabad BRTS and metro, which accounts for 1.5 million, alongside 2.5 million on GSRTC buses.

The industries in Surat are integrating freight and passenger services, while expansions in GIFT City have increased by 8%.

Andhra Pradesh’s total of 3.9 million is primarily driven by the Vijayawada rail, which serves 2 million, and APSRTC, which caters to 1.5 million in rural areas.

The Amaravati feeder services are projected to grow by 12% as irrigation efforts mobilize local farmers.

Madhya Pradesh’s ridership of 3.7 million includes 1 million on the Indore iBus and 1.5 million on Bhopal rail services.

Initiatives aimed at cleanliness have resulted in a 20% increase in female participation, while the Bhopal Metro Phase 1 has added 500,000 riders.

Mid-Tier States Utilize Regional Connectivity

Rajasthan, with a population of 3.2 million, benefits from the Jaipur metro serving 500,000 passengers and RSRTC buses transporting 2 million to Udaipur for tourism.

Solar depots have reduced costs by 25%, coinciding with a 10% increase in tourist arrivals.

Telangana, home to 2.9 million residents, sees 500,000 utilizing the Hyderabad metro and 2 million using TSRTC services.

HITECH areas achieve a peak of 95% on-time performance, while L&T’s efficiency has improved by 5%.

Punjab’s population of 2.4 million includes 900,000 from Chandigarh and 1.2 million from PRTC. Agricultural seasons reach their peak, and Amritsar’s temple attracts 500,000 pilgrims annually.

Haryana, with 2.1 million residents, utilizes the Gurugram Rapid Metro for 50,000 rides and Roadways for 1.5 million.

The NCR region is experiencing overflow, and expressways are integrating bus services, showing a 7% increase.

Odisha, with a population of 1.9 million, features the Bhubaneswar metro serving 100,000 and OSRTC buses carrying 1.5 million.

Paradip’s steel shuttles have increased by 10% due to resilient coastal conditions.

Kerala, with 1.7 million residents, favors KSRTC buses, which serve 1.2 million, over the Kochi metro, which accommodates 300,000 in the hilly regions.

Literacy initiatives are driving a 15% increase in app bookings, while remittances support travel expenses.

Lower Ridership states Reveal Infrastructure Issues

Jharkhand’s 1.5 million population centers around Ranchi, with rail services accommodating 800,000 and bus services 600,000.

Dhanbad’s mining sector is undergoing shifts; a project for 50 new trains is anticipated to increase capacity by 8%.

Assam’s 1.2 million residents navigate through Guwahati, where rail services cater to 600,000, although floods have caused a 20% disruption.

The ASTC has adapted elevated stops, and enhancements to the Brahmaputra bridges are underway.

Chhattisgarh’s 1.1 million population relies on Raipur, where bus services reach 700,000. Naxal restrictions are present; however, smart funding has introduced 200 electric buses.

Chandigarh’s 0.9 million residents share transportation loads with Punjab and Haryana; planning efforts yield a high per capita outcome.

Uttarakhand’s 0.8 million inhabitants navigate the hilly terrain with UKRTC buses serving 600,000, while the Char Dham pilgrimage attracts 5 million visitors. Rail services in Dehradun have added 400,000 passengers.

Himachal Pradesh’s 0.6 million population utilizes HRTC buses, and the Shimla toy train maintains a 5% operational rate.

Jammu and Kashmir’s 0.5 million residents see a rebound in Srinagar, with pilot projects initiated post-Article 370. SRTC buses effectively manage transportation in the valleys.

Goa’s 0.4 million population relies on Kadamba for beach access; tourism has doubled during the summer months.

Puducherry’s 0.3 million residents are connected to Tamil Nadu; local buses serve various quarters.

The Northeastern states show lower figures: Tripura’s 0.25 million in Agartala rely on rail; Meghalaya’s 0.2 million in Shillong use buses in the hills.

Manipur has 0.18 million, Nagaland 0.15 million, Mizoram 0.14 million, Sikkim 0.12 million, and Arunachal Pradesh 0.1 million face challenges due to borders and forests.

Funding is expected to extend rail services by 200 km by 2026.

DNHDD’s 0.08 million supports industrial activities; Ladakh’s 0.07 million in Leh utilize buses in extreme conditions.

Andaman’s 0.05 million rely on ferry services, while Lakshadweep’s 0.02 million have minimal rail access.

Macro Factors and Future Trajectories

Nationally, there are 85 million daily disruptions to railways, with 60% attributed to an annual expenditure of 715 crore, reflecting a 5% increase.

Buses account for 25 million, while metros contribute 10 million. The urbanization rate stands at 37%, driving peak densities in Mumbai to 50% modal.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional 9 million jobs have been created, resulting in a skewed demand for metro services.

An allocation of ₹1.5 trillion is designated to electrify 97% of the railways and to introduce 10,000 electric buses.

The Shakti initiative has empowered women by 55%, while emissions have decreased by 12%.

The cost of living in the Northeast hills is 40% higher, and floods in Bihar have caused disruptions affecting 15% of the population.

Among the youth, 65% prefer mobile applications, with Delhi’s UPI usage reaching 90%. Women represent 37% of the increase in bus ridership, primarily for safety reasons.

A growth target of 10% aims to reach 93 million by 2026, with Lucknow’s tier-2 cities contributing an additional 500,000. Assam has seen a 20% increase, maintaining a balanced growth.

Source

• Ministry of Railways. (2025). Indian Railways annual report and accounts 2024-25.