The 12 more AC local services on Western Railway has triggered a fresh debate among commuters with regards to its timings and fare, but most importantly, many calling for standardising fare-slabs of AC trains and cutting down difference between AC and non-AC trains.
The WR on Friday announced that they would be introducing 12 more AC and three non-AC local train services from February 19. Responding to the growing popularity of air-conditioned travel, while recognising the continued need for affordable options for the masses, Western Railway aims to offer a balanced and inclusive commuting experience. The augmentation in services will help ease overcrowding and offer better travel experience. We are introducing 12 AC Local services, of which 11 services will replace existing non-AC services, while one will be a new AC service. In addition to this, three additional non-AC services are also being introduced,” a WR spokesperson said.
“With this increase, the total number of AC services will increase from 121 to 133 and the total number of local services of Western Railway network will increase from 1,410 to 1,414. The number of AC services operating on Saturdays and Sundays will also be significantly increased from 77 to 106, further enhancing comfort and capacity for weekend commuters. In addition to this, a slow local service that is presently operating from Bhayandar to Bandra will operate from Virar, providing added convenience and improved connectivity for commuters,” he added.
Commuters said there are two things about the new services. “Railways are playing a game with innocent passengers. The new AC local trains being introduced are like a slow poison to all other commuters. Also, the timings of these trains are not beneficial to all passengers. The railways must work out changes,” former member, National Railway Users Consultative Committee told Sunday mid-day.
“It is a bad decision to replace non-AC with AC services. Adding new AC services without replacing existing AC services is the good decision. The non-AC traveller have now started feeling the heat of the reduction of their regular services. It do away with non-AC trains altogether, provided the fares are slashed down to non-AC fares. Only then, it would be justified. Another solution would be to split a train to AC and non-AC coaches in the same train,” commuter Amit Surana said.
“WR seems to be deliberately ignoring Borivali, Kandivali and Malad residents, after the 5.15 pm AC and 5.50 pm AC trains have departed, there are no more AC trains for Borivali, Kandivali and Malad, at least modify 5.50 pm AC to halt at Malad and Kandivali. Why the injustice,” commuter Sudhir Kamath questioned.
Yet another commuter Nitesh M said, “What is the use of the services to run on less crowded route? Please increase services to and from till Dadar or Andheri where huge crowd travel during peak and regular hours seven days of week.”
133
Total number of AC services on Western Railway from February 19
1414
Total number of local train services on Western Railway
Elements
. 12 new AC local services (11 replacing non-AC + 1 brand new)
. 3 additional regular non-AC services
. AC services: 121 increased to133
. Total locals: 1,410 increased to 1,414 services
. Weekend AC boost: from 77 to 106 services
. Bhayandar–Bandra slow now starts from Virar
