New Delhi, May 7 (IANS): Indian Railways opened the fiscal with fall in the total number of passengers using its trains even as its revenue from passengers increased, an official statement said on Thursday.

A railways ministry statement said the total approximate numbers of passengers booked during the month of April 2015 were 65.82 crore compared to 68.43 crore during the same period last year, showing a decrease of 3.80 percent.

In the suburban and non-suburban sectors, the numbers of passengers booked during the month were 34.42 crore and 31.40 crore compared to 36.14 crore and 32.29 crore during the same period last year, a decrease of 4.75 percent and 2.74 percent respectively, the statement said.

However the total passenger revenue earnings in April 2015 were Rs.4,013.66 crore compared to Rs.3,353.12 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 19.70 percent.

The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis in April 2015 were Rs. 14,125.15 crore compared to Rs.12,008.56 crore during the same period last year, registering an increase of 17.63 percent.

The total goods earnings were Rs.9,552.51 crore in April 2015 compared to Rs.8,174.94 crore in April 2014, showing an increase of 16.85 percent.

The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to Rs.348.96 crore in April 2015 compared to Rs.323.98 crore during the same period last year, showing an increase of 7.71 percent.