Travel by Western Railway trains? Beware! Trouble with AC locals to continue

Western Railway's AC local trains facing trouble with door closure and rectification in temperatures of air conditioning will continue even with 9 other trains coming in the second phase by March 2019, says the transporter. This is because the changes suggested to the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai are not likely to be incorporated, claimed Western Railway officials. They also added that these problems have also affected punctuality of trains.

Western Railway has reportedly sought some changes in the future lot of AC local trains as this has been affecting smooth running of trains. “We had asked for changes after making thorough inspection. However we have been informed that as the contract doesn’t these provisions, it will be difficult to incorporate them,” a senior Western Railway official told DNA.
 
The suggestion reportedly included a better door closing mechanism, thoroughly controlled AC temperature, levelled flooring inside vestibule coaches and pathway on the roof to technical staff to maintain and repair AC units and other paraphernalia. There have reportedly been constant complaints of door not closing on time during its running.
 
According to the report, the AC local stops at a station for about 40-45 seconds, and this period also includes opening of the door, people alight, board and door closes. This way it takes more time than what conventional locals take which complete the same in nearly 15-20 seconds, depending on time and place.
 
Noticing this, Western Railway officials are reportedly sceptical about operating AC locals during peak hours when more rakes join the fleet. As against a regular train, 3 times lesser number of people are generally ferried inside AC local, on an average, said the report. “We will be inspecting the new AC locals as and when they enter,” Sanjay Mishra, Divisional Railway Manager (Mumbai), Western Railway, told DNA. 
 
Another Western Railway official reportedly said, “On an average the AC local takes 1.5 times more time to resume once it makes an halt at a station. So it is difficult to add more AC train services during peak hours.” Notably, the Western Railway has a punctuality of 90 percent.
 
The Central Railway and Western Railway are likely to see inclusion of 9 more AC local trains by March, and additional three AC rakes will reportedly come after mid-2019.
 
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Currently, 12 services of AC local run every day - one each during morning and evening peak hours respectively. The Western Railway has so far recorded an upgradation of 515 first-class season tickets as well as another 517 first class single journey tickets to the AC local, said the report, adding that the authorities have decided to allow all first class commuters to travel in AC local between 12 and 4pm.