India’s first AC local train debuts in Mumbai today

Shiv Kumar

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, December 24

India’s first fully air-conditioned train to ply on a suburban route will run between downtown Mumbai’s Churchgate and suburban Virar railway stations from Monday.

The first service of the AC local will be flagged off by Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal at 2.10 pm on Monday from Churchgate railway station. The 12-coach train, built at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, in 2015, had been undergoing trials on both the Western and Central Railway routes for more than two years, railway officials said.

Unlike the usual “local” trains in Mumbai which feature commuters precariously hanging out of open doors, their AC counterparts will have automatic doors that shut completely before the rake begins pulling out of the station, Ravinder Bhakar, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, said.

According to him, each AC ‘local’ has a total capacity of 5,964 passengers. While the seating capacity is meant for 1,028 passengers, the train allows for 4,936 standees.

In the first phase, the Western Railways will ply 12 services five days a week. Eight of these will run as “fast” trains that stop only at major railway stations between Churchgate and Virar. Three services will run as “fast” trains between Churchgate and Borivli while one will ply as a ‘slow’ service stopping at all stations between Mahalaxmi and Borivali stations.

Railway officials said these trains would have Railway Protection Force personnel and technicians on board for the first 15 days to iron out any glitches. 

Fares on the AC ‘local’ have been priced at 1.2 times the first-class ticket for the first six months. A single one-way trip between Churchgate and Virar will cost Rs 204 in addition to GST and surcharges. Weekly, fortnightly and monthly season tickets will be charged at 5, 7 and 10 times that of a single journey.

Railway officials feel that a section of commuters who drive to town will opt for the air-conditioned train. 

Automatic doors

5,964 passengers a fully AC suburban train will carry between Churchgate and Virar

12 coach AC train with self-closing doors will run 12 services five days a week

1.2 times the first-class ticket will be the fare on the AC ‘local’ for first six months

Rs 204 plus GST and surcharges one-way trip between Churchgate and Virar will cost