Move afoot to increase services of AC local trains in city

According to officials, the Central railway is likely to get 2 AC rakes by next month, of which one will be sent to the Western Railway for the AC rake they had borrowed

2 min readMumbaiJun 10, 2022 09:40 PM IST

Mumbai locals, AC locals, Mumbai railways

The official said once the new AC rakes are received, they would be able to introduce as many as 12 more services on the Western Railway. (File)

After reducing the single journey fare of the air-conditioned local trains, the Mumbai divisions of the Central and Western railways are now in the process of increasing the services of such trains and are expecting to add one additional AC rake each to their fleet.

Currently, the Western Railway has 3 AC rakes and runs a total of 32 AC train services daily, while the Central Railway has a total of five AC rakes, of which one was borrowed from the Western Railway, and a total of 56 AC train services.

According to officials, the Central railway is likely to get 2 AC rakes by next month, of which one will be sent to the Western Railway for the AC rake they had borrowed. The official said once the new AC rakes are received, they would be able to introduce as many as 12 more services on the lines.

The official added that since the fare of single journey tickets of AC trains have been slashed by almost 50 per cent, there has been a tremendous rise in ridership and more and more commuters are demanding an increase in the frequency of such trains as they prefer travelling in AC trains than non-AC ones.

“We expect to get these new rakes by July and after which we will be able to increase the frequency of the trains and cater to more and more passengers,” the official said.

Meanwhile, the Central Railway is planning to allow non-AC monthly pass holders to travel in AC local trains after paying the difference in fare.” It has been proposed that a passenger holding a non-AC monthly season ticket, be it first or second class, will not have to buy the separate ticket for AC train if he/she wishes to board one. The passenger could just go to the ticket counter and pay the difference in fare to be able to travel in an AC train. We will soon be taking a decision on this proposal,” a Central Railway official said.

The Western Railway already allows the passengers to travel in AC local trains after paying the difference in fare.

Vallabh Ozarkar

Vallabh Ozarkar is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized as an authoritative and deeply knowledgeable voice on the politics, governance, and infrastructure of Maharashtra. With more than nine years of experience in major news organizations, his reporting delivers high standards of Expertise and Trustworthiness. Expertise & Authority Current Role: Senior Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai bureau. Geographical Specialization: Provides exclusive and detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, operating at the epicenter of the state's decision-making in Mumbai. Core Authority: His reporting demonstrates deep Expertise across critical and often complex state matters, including: Political Dynamics: In-depth analysis of the ruling coalition (Mahayuti) and opposition (MVA), internal party conflicts, and crucial election updates, including local body polls and municipal corporation tussles. Governance & Policy: Focused coverage on significant state policies, such as the overhaul of Mumbai's 'pagdi system' (rent control for old buildings) and social welfare schemes (e.g., Ladki Bahin Yojana accountability). Infrastructure & Development: Reports on major urban and regional infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Water Metro, Uttan-Virar Sea Link, and Thane Metro development. Administrative Oversight: Follows legislative actions, cabinet decisions, and reports on issues of accountability and alleged fraud within state departments. Experience Current Role: His role at The Indian Express—a leading national daily—validates the credibility and standard of his reporting. Career Foundation: Prior to The Indian Express, Vallabh contributed to other major metropolitan news outlets, including the Mumbai Mirror and DNA - Daily News & Analysis, providing a solid foundation in rigorous urban and political journalism. Evidence of Impact: His work consistently breaks down complex political developments and administrative failures, such as exposing discrepancies in government welfare schemes, cementing his reputation as a trusted source for ground-level, impactful news from Maharashtra. He tweets @Ozarkarvallabh ... Read More

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