Local train experience: Frustration mounts for Mumbai commuters using AC local trains

Mumbai, often referred to as the city that never sleeps, is no stranger to the hustle and bustle of daily life. And the recent addition to the city's lifeline - air-conditioned local trains - has brought along a set of challenges for the resilient Mumbaikars.

The inclusion of air-conditioned trains was deemed to be a solution for the commuting woes of lakhs of commuters who travel long distances in stuffy compartments to reach Mumbai from distant parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. However, commuters disagree with the fact that it has brought comfort to their travel.

Mumbaikars voice concerns about unpleasant AC local train travel

Cooling chaos: One of the primary predicaments faced by Mumbaikars is the stark contrast between the temperature inside the AC local trains and the outside climate. As passengers step into the chilly compartments from the sweltering heat of the city, adapting to the sudden change becomes a challenge. Complaints of discomfort, especially among those unprepared for the temperature drop, have become commonplace.

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While the concept of AC local trains was introduced with the intention of providing a more comfortable travel experience, the practicality of implementation has raised eyebrows. The stark difference in temperature between the AC compartments and the rest of the station platforms and non-AC trains poses health risks, especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and young children.

One of the commuters who usually travels from Churchgate to Bhayandar said that the temperature inside the AC local trains is a big issue. Ganesh Vanarse, a Girgaon resident, said sometimes it's too chilly or too hot as the AC doesn't work properly.

Overcrowding: "The struggle for a comfortable seat in these AC compartments adds another layer of woe. The demand for these cooler carriages often leads to overcrowding, making it a daunting task for commuters to find a spot to sit during peak hours. This overcrowding issue not only diminishes the overall travel experience but also raises concerns about passenger safety," Ganesh shared.

Riding ticketless: Meanwhile, Kamlesh Sante, a media professional, who travels from Badlapur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), has one complaint. "There is no ticket checker (TC) on AC local trains. And since there is no one to monitor, people without proper tickets board the AC local trains," he said.

Higher fare and frequency issues: "A person who can afford a first-class pass can afford the AC pass as well. The only issue is frequency. As the number of AC locals goes up, you will see a lot more people buying the AC pass. Honestly, the railways should have hiked the first-class pass rate a bit and allowed it for AC locals as well. That would have seen a lot more ridership," Vanarse said.

Kamlesh added that the prices of these AC local trains should be lowered. "Compared to general first class, the prices of these AC local trains are too high. The railways should look into this," Kamlesh Sante said.

Another commuter, Kamlesh Suthar, who travels from Nalasopara to Bandra by AC local trains, has no qualms with the ticket prices. "Because then anyone will board the train, and we will see the same rush as general local trains. Instead, railways should increase the charges for the fines they levy on ticketless travellers. Currently, anybody boards AC local trains as there is no TC on these trains. Levying a hefty fine on ticketless travellers will help," he added.

He also wants the number of AC local trains during peak hours to be increased. "The number of AC local trains during peak hours is less; I think railways should look into this," Kamlesh Suthar said.

Lack of maintenance: The maintenance of these sophisticated cooling systems has proven to be a challenge for the authorities. Technical glitches and breakdowns are not uncommon, leading to disruptions in the already tightly scheduled Mumbai local train services. This unreliability has caused inconvenience to countless passengers who rely on the local trains for their daily commute.

"Sometimes, technical glitches scare commuters. Like the door glitches and the rakes that have encountered problems related to AC locals. The AC is sometimes too cold or too hot. Another issue is water droplets from the roof, because of which seats become soggy. At times, these droplets fall on passengers. Railways should come up with sustainable solutions for these glitches."

Inconsistent AC train services: Mandeep Singh Khurana, an avid local commuter for over 15 years, expresses deep dissatisfaction with the inconsistent AC train services on the Central line. Mandeep, commuting daily from Thane to Parel, shares, "Despite my initial excitement when CR introduced AC services, the persistent issue of irregular AC train schedules has been troubling for over a year. While morning trains are punctual, the evening AC locals after 7 pm consistently run late by at least 45 minutes."

He adds, "The fare for the AC local train is exorbitant. Opting for a monthly seasonal pass, I rely on the 8.15 pm Kalyan slow train from Parel station for my evening commute. Unfortunately, this train consistently arrives at Parel station after 9 pm, despite its scheduled time. Leaving the office at 7.30 pm, I find myself waiting for over one and a half hours each day. I strongly urge CR authorities to promptly address this issue, as it presents considerable challenges for daily commuters like myself."

In response to these challenges, there have been calls for a more comprehensive approach to address the problems associated with AC local trains. This includes better communication regarding the temperature inside the compartments, improved crowd management strategies, and regular maintenance checks to ensure the seamless functioning of the cooling systems.

What do officials have to say?

In its most recent update, Western Railway (WR) has introduced 17 new AC trains, bringing the total count to 96 AC trains operating on the western line. Through a social media announcement, WR stated, "Looking at the popularity and growing demand by commuters, WR has decided to increase the number of AC local services."

The Central Railway (CR) has also announced the introduction of 10 more AC local services, raising the total number of AC local services to 66 on the Central Railway route from CSMT to Kalyan, Badlapur, and Titawala.

Officials said, given the popularity and rising demand for AC locals, efforts are being made to do everything possible to ease the crowd and improve the services

Sumit Thakur, Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, explained that the decision to increase AC local services was made in response to the significant increase in the number of passengers opting for AC trains to enhance passenger convenience and alleviate overcrowding.

When asked about people complaining about no ticket checkers on AC local trains, Thakur said, "This is incorrect. We do have adequate ticket checkers on AC local trains," WR CPRO said.

According to ridership data from the WR, AC local trains carried 31.3 lakh passengers in October, surpassing the September figure of 28.68 lakh. From April to October in the current financial year, WR reported a ridership of 2.08 crore (99%) on AC local trains, compared to 2.31 crore in the previous financial year 2022-23. In October, the Central Railway (CR) recorded 17.38 lakh passengers riding on AC local trains, generating revenue of Rs 7.9 crore from the existing 66 services.