Just too bad that the morning & evening trips between PVRD & AFK too got cancelled, citing poor occupancy.
AFAIK, there were many takers (especially regular season ticket passengers like office goers) for these trips.
Ironically they didn't even consider extension of MEMU to TCR/KTYM in an attempt to improve occupancy & help it sustain.
Also, the argument that Kochi Metro due...
more...

for operation soon, will compete with MEMU is hard to digest.
In fact, Kochi Metro is launching partial operation between Aluva(metro station lies outside town) & Palarivattom(again, station far from ERN/ERS). Minimum charge for Metro travel is Rs. 10/-(for 2 km) & maximum Rs. 50/-(Aluva - Palarivattom). Is such a service going to threaten existence of a MEMU which runs with passenger fare of Rs. 5 & 10? Or is it that Railways is trying to give way & improve occupancy of the Metro?!!