Mumbai AC Local Train Service From Churchgate To Virar Begins: Ticket Price/Fares, Timings

Indian Railways commenced operations on its much-awaited Mumbai AC local train service from Churchgate to Virar today. With that, Mumbai passengers got the AC local service hailing out of Churchgate to Virar on the first day of the New Year 2018. The air-conditioned coaches of the new Mumbai local started their run from Churchgate to Borivali in December 2017. According to media reports, the Western Railway - which caters to one of the zones served by Indian Railways - launched service on the full stretch between Churchgate and Virar on January 1, 2018.

In December, the new Mumbai AC local train started its run on the Borivali-Churchgate section of the Mumbai suburban line under Western Railway. Equipped with new features, the train is aimed at ensuring a safer and more comfortable journey for passengers, an official release said. From January 1, the Mumbai AC local - running from Churchgate to Virar - will have 12 services per day, news agency Press Trust of India had earlier cited WR chief spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar as saying.

10 things to know about Mumbai AC local:

Fare structure

Base fare of the single journey of AC EMU (Suburban Train) shall be 1.3 times of the base fare of existing fare of single journey ticket for first class.

However, as an introductory offer for a period of initial six months, the base fare of single journey of AC EMU shall be charged 1.2 times of the base fare of existing fare of single journey ticket of first class.

The difference between 1.3 times and 1.2 times will be shown in the ticket as discount during the introductory period, according to the press release dated December 24.

Season tickets: Weekly, fortnightly and monthly season tickets shall be charged equivalent to 5, 7.5 and 10 single journey of AC EMU respectively. No other type of season tickets shall be issued for the time being.

AC EMU ticket holder shall also be allowed to travel by first class compartments of local trains. The Ministry of Railways also detailed the fare charges of AC local train:

Mumbai AC local train features

The new train service operates with a fully air conditioned rake with a capacity of 30 tonnes per coach. The new Mumbai AC local has a passenger carrying capacity of 1,028 seats.

The new Mumbai AC local operates with stainless steel coaches having straight side walls. The train operates at a maximum speed of 100 kilometres per hour.

The coaches are equipped with automatic door closure systems, LED-based lighting, LED-based coach identification systems (for alarm chain pulling and door malfunctioning) and emergency talk-back systems. The train does not start or take traction with any of the doors open.

The Mumbai AC local has been provided with modular polycarbonate seats, aimed at the comfort of passengers, and wide double-sealed glass windows for panoramic view, among other features.

The rakes are also fitted with GPS-based passenger information systems, equipped to provide features such as passenger announcement, communication (between the driver and guard) and coach displays, among other features.

New Mumbai AC local timings

Indian Railways also shared timings of the new AC local train with effect from January 1, 2018:
 

From	Departure	To	Arrival	Status
Mahalaxmi	6.58	Borivali	7.5	Slow train
Churchgate	8.54	Virar	10.13	Fast train
Churchgate	11.5	Virar	13.05	Fast train
Churchgate	14.55	Virar	16.12	Fast train
Churchgate	17.49	Borivali	18.41	Fast train
Churchgate	19.49	Virar	21.15	Fast train
UP Direction
From	Departure	To	Arrival	Status
Borivali	7.54	Churchgate	8.5	Fast train
Virar	10.22	Churchgate	11.46	Fast train
Virar	13.18	Churchgate	14.44	Fast train
Virar	16.22	Churchgate	17.42	Fast train
Borivali	18.55	Churchgate	19.44	Fast train
Virar	21.24	Churchgate	22.48	Fast train

The AC train services will not run on Saturdays and Sundays for maintenance purpose, the railway ministry said.

New Mumbai AC local fares/ticket prices

The Ministry of Railways also compared the fare charges of the 1st Class and AC Local seats (base fare * 1.2 times for the first six months):

		Single Ticket Fare		Weekly Season Ticket		Fortnightly Season Ticket		Monthly Season Ticket
From	To	1st Class	AC Local	1st Class	AC Local	1st Class	AC Local	1st Class	AC Local
CCG	MMCT	50	60	NA	285	NA	430	345	570
CCG	DDR	70	85	NA	445	NA	630	490	820
CCG	BA	70	85	NA	445	NA	630	490	820
CCG	ADH	105	125	NA	655	NA	945	670	1240
CCG	BVI	140	165	NA	855	NA	1245	755	1640
CCG	BYR	150	175	NA	905	NA	1325	910	1745
CCG	BSR	165	195	NA	1035	NA	1505	1105	1975
CCG	VR	170	205	NA	1070	NA	1555	1185	2040