Swiggy extends Food on Train to 122 stations and expands pre-order window to 96 hours

Swiggy has broadened its Food on Train service to now include 122 railway stations throughout India, marking a significant enhancement to its offerings. Along with this expansion, the company has increased the pre-order window from 24 hours to an impressive 96 hours. This initiative aims to improve the convenience of long-distance travel while providing passengers with a diverse range of dependable meal options delivered right to their seats. Newly integrated stations include locations such as Anantpur, Madurai, Alwar, Kozhikode, Khurda Road, Yesvantpur, and Gonda. This development follows a noticeable rise in demand during the festive season, where travelers heavily utilized Swiggy’s service to enjoy familiar food on the go. The festive period from October 16 to November 3 showcased the platform's strongest performance metrics to date. Nationwide, biryani was the most popular dish ordered, followed by masala dosa, burgers, pav bhaji, margarita pizza, and corn chaat. Interestingly, over one-third of travelers opted for at least one dessert, with selections ranging from gulab jamun and rasgulla to gourmet waffles and cheesecake jars. Well-known brands like Haldiram’s, Paradise Biryani, A2B, Hotel Aryaas, Annai Restaurant, Rominus Pizza, and McDonald’s emerged as the top choices, highlighting Swiggy’s ability to cater to both traditional local eateries and prominent national chains. "Food is integral to our festive celebrations in India, and this remains true even while traveling," stated Deepak Maloo, VP of Food Strategy, Customer Experience, and New Initiatives at Swiggy. He emphasized that with their network now covering 122 stations and the extended four-day pre-booking period, they are making it simpler for travelers to plan ahead and enjoy meals from their favorite local restaurants, creating a more homely travel experience. Analysis of regional dining preferences revealed stark contrasts. Travelers in the north leaned towards biryani, aloo paratha, and red paprika pizza, while those in the south preferred dosa, idli, pongal, and curd rice. Eastern travelers favored thalis and rice bowls, and those in the west opted for pav bhaji and vada pav. In a remarkable instance, one customer placed an order for 45 items, illustrating how the service is becoming increasingly popular among large groups and families. Demand surged particularly on trains like the Garib Rath Express, Seshadri Express, Sabari Superfast Express, and Kerala Express. During one festive special from SMVT Bengaluru to New Tinsukia, 28 passengers in a single coach placed orders simultaneously, with all meals delivered at one station.