India's first air-conditioned local train would start running in Mumbai's suburban network from Monday.
As of now, the AC locals would be running on the Western Railway (WR) network. Eventually it will run on the Central Railway (CR) network.
The first AC local would leave Andheri station on WR at 2.10 pm and reach Churchgate at 2.44 pm.
A total of 12 services (six services in up and six services in down direction) of the AC suburban train will be operated only on weekdays.
On weekends, the rake of AC local train will not be operated for maintenance purpose.
According to Ravinder Bhakar, chief public relations officer of WR, the AC local train services will replace the existing 12 non-AC services.
The average number of suburban services on WR's suburban section will remain 1355, even after the introduction of AC local train service.
Of the 12 services, eight will run as fast local trains between Churchgate and Virar, stopping only at major stations, ie, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Bhayander and Vasai Road in both directions.
Similarly, three fast services will run between Churchgate and Borivali stopping at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra and Andheri stations in both directions.
The remaining one service will run as a slow service from Mahalaxmi to Borivali, which will stop at all intermediate stations.
Fare structure
The introductory fare to lure commuters to the new style of commutation, will cost the passenger 1.2 times the cost of a first-class one-way regular ticket.
Later, the fares will be revised to 1.3 times the cost of a first-class one-way regular ticket.
State-of-the-art facility
Manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, the fully AC air suspension coaches have a capacity of carrying nearly 6,000 commuters per rake, an automatic door opening and closing system, LED lights and an emergency talk back system between commuters and guard.
The other amenities include a public address system, advanced GPS-based passenger information system and airtight vestibules inter-connecting all 12 coaches.
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