India’s first AC local train flagged off in Mumbai today: Fares, frequency, other details

The 12-coach EMU will undergo its inaugural run after two years of trials at Kurla and Virar car-sheds. (Express photo: Ganesh Shirsekar)

India’s first air-conitioned local, stretching between Mumbai’s Churchgate and Virar station, was launched on Monday around 11 am. The 12-coach EMU’s inaugural run comes after two years of trials at Kurla and Virar car-sheds. The local was brought to Mumbai from the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, in April 2015. The services will replace 12 existing non-air conditioned services.

Here’s all you need to know about India’s first AC local:

Capacity: It has room for a total of 5,964 people, with the seating capacity for 1,028 and standing space for 4,936.

Frequency: Twelve services of the local will ply each day on the Western Railways. Of these, eight will run as fast local trains between Churchgate and Virar, stopping only at major stations, which are Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri, Borivali, Bhayander and Vasai Road.

Similarly, three fast services will run between Churchgate and Borivali, stopping at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra and Andheri. The remaining service will run as a slow service from Mahalaxmi to Borivali, which will stop at all stations.

It will not ply on weekends as the rake will undergo maintenance, officials said.

Fares: The fare of a single journey ticket of the AC rake would cost 1.3 times the base fare of a first-class ticket. A Mumbai Urban Transport Plan (MUTP) surcharge and Goods and Services Tax (GST) would be levied separately on total fare. However, passengers will be charged 1.2 times the first class ticket cost in the initial six months.

:For example, the present base fare of a single journey ticket between Churchgate and Virar in the first class is Rs 170, then according to the formula, the base fare for AC train turns out to be Rs 204 for the initial six months. It would later increase to Rs 221, based on fare calculation model. Respective surcharge of MUTP and GST would be levied on total AC fare,” a senior railway official told The Indian Express. The present MUTP surcharge for card ticket holder is Rs 6 for a journey between 11-150 kilometres. For monthly season pass, it is Rs 60, Rs 90 and Rs 120 for the respective distances.

Weekly, fortnightly and monthly season tickets for the AC train will be charged equivalent to 5, 7, 5 and 10 times a single journey ticket fare of the AC train.

Reserved seats and coaches: The first and 12th coaches from Churchgate end are earmarked as ladies coaches and as many as seven seats in the second and eleventh coach from Churchgate end are reserved for senior citizens while 10 seats in the fourth and seventh coaches from Churchgate end are reserved for physically disabled passengers.

Features: The local train coaches have automatic doors, a first in the suburban system.

Security: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) will ensure the safety of the commuters with the presence of a suitable number of RPF constables in each coach.

Safety measures: Each coach is provided with a passenger alarm indication lights on both sides, which are integrated with alarm chain pulling system. The facility of ‘Emergency Talk Back’ unit in passenger areas (four in each coach) to communicate with motorman/guard during any emergency, has also been provided.

In case of emergencies, emergency ladders with signage inside the coach are given to facilitate evacuation of passengers. Besides, each coach is equipped with two fire extinguishers with instructions to operate.

Information system: The AC coach will also be equipped with a GPS-based passenger information system with audio-visual indication of stations for guard-driver/ passenger communication. Added to it is the facility of announcement from motorman and guard cab to passenger area.