Designing a route
A route connects an origin and destination and may include intermediate calling points. Station demand, journey length, stopping pattern and train capacity combine to determine the passenger forecast.
The route preview estimates distance, journey time, demand, revenue, costs, required trainsets and setup cost before you commit cash.
Operator tip
Add calling points because they serve a market or create useful interchange—not simply to make the route longer.
Compatibility matters
- Traction must suit the route’s electrification.
- The train formation must fit the permitted platform length.
- The route should fall within the stock type’s practical distance range.
- A train already assigned elsewhere cannot cover a second route.
- A train in maintenance or retired from service is not available for allocation.
Watch out
An electric train cannot operate a non-electrified route unless its traction type supports that infrastructure.
Fare and demand
Each route has a reference fare based mainly on distance. Charging above it can improve yield per passenger but damages fare value and suppresses future demand. Charging too little may fill trains without producing enough revenue.
The route page shows the current fare, reference fare and a warning when the setting is unusually high or low.
Pausing and closing
Pause a route when you need to stop the operation temporarily without deleting its design. Closing a route is permanent and releases its trainsets.
Watch out
Accepted contract obligations remain strategically important. Review the contract before reducing hours, frequency or available capacity.