Swiggy says Food on Train orders rose 12-fold as network reached 201 stations
Swiggy’s rail-food service grew 12-fold between August 2024 and August 2026, expanding from 66 to 201 stations. The company says smaller cities are adopting the service twice as fast as metros, with thalis comprising more than 65% of orders.
What happened
Swiggy’s Food on Train service grew 12-fold in two years and expanded to 201 stations. It launched Search by Train and a 99 Store Widget, while tier-2 and
Key facts
- Food on Train grew 12-fold from August 2024 to August 2026
- Network expanded to 201 stations from 66 in 2024
- Tier-2 and tier-3 adoption grew twice as fast as metros
- Thalis account for over 65% of train orders
- Sweets orders increased 110%
- Lassi orders increased 60%
- Buttermilk orders increased 40%
- Mojito orders increased 90%
Why this matters
Swiggy’s traction in rail food creates partnership opportunities with Indian Railways, station operators, regional restaurant chains, and logistics providers to deepen coverage in underserved non-metro corridors.
What to watch
- Repeat-order rates and customer complaints tied to missed train handoffs.
- Average order value, delivery fees and contribution margins versus standard food delivery.
- Expansion pace beyond 201 stations and concentration on high-volume rail corridors.
- Share of orders from tier-2 and tier-3 cities relative to metros.
- Restaurant partner density and menu availability during train arrival windows.
- Competitive moves from IRCTC, Zomato or station-food operators.
- Add stations on high-passenger regional and overnight routes rather than expanding evenly across the network.
- Build train- and stop-specific ordering windows, including delay-adjusted preparation and rider dispatch workflows.
- Onboard more local thali, breakfast, snack and regional-cuisine merchants near stations.
- Use rail-food demand data to target adjacent hyperlocal delivery expansion in smaller cities.
- Pursue partnerships with rail-ticketing, travel and loyalty platforms to capture passengers before departure.