Mumbai Suburban Rail Gets a Comfort Boost: Western Railway to Introduce 12 New AC Local Trains from January 26

Daily commuters on Mumbai’s suburban railway network are set to enjoy a more comfortable journey as Western Railway (WR) prepares to roll out 12 additional air-conditioned (AC) local train services next week. The move comes in response to the steadily rising preference for AC locals among passengers on the Western line.

Growing Demand for AC Locals on Western Railway

Western Railway officials have acknowledged a significant increase in the number of commuters opting for AC local trains. With overcrowding easing and positive passenger feedback, WR has decided to convert 12 existing non-AC 12-car local services into AC services, instead of adding extra trains to the timetable.

According to a press release issued by Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railway, this upgrade is aimed at improving travel comfort while maintaining operational balance.

Total Number of AC Local Trains to Rise

Once these services are introduced, the total number of AC local train services on the Western Railway network will increase to 121. Importantly, the overall number of suburban services will remain unchanged at 1,406, ensuring no disruption to the existing schedule.

When Will the New AC Local Trains Start?

Start Date: January 26

Operational Days: All seven days of the week

Nature of Change: Existing non-AC services replaced with AC locals

Direction-wise Distribution of New AC Services

Out of the 12 upgraded services:

• 6 trains will operate in the UP direction (towards Churchgate)

• 6 trains will operate in the DOWN direction (away from Churchgate)

UP Direction Services (Towards Churchgate)

2 services: Virar – Churchgate

2 services: Goregaon – Churchgate

1 service: Borivali – Churchgate

1 service: Bhayandar – Churchgate

DOWN Direction Services (From Churchgate)

2 services: Churchgate – Virar

2 services: Churchgate – Goregaon

1 service: Churchgate – Bhayandar

1 service: Churchgate – Borivali

Timings of the 12 New AC Local Trains (Bullet Format)

UP Trains (6 Services – Towards Churchgate)

Goregaon → Churchgate

Departs: 05:14 | Arrives: 06:11 | Slow

Borivali → Churchgate

Departs: 07:25 | Arrives: 08:20 | Fast

Virar → Churchgate

Departs: 10:08 | Arrives: 11:27 | Fast

Bhayandar → Churchgate

Departs: 12:44 | Arrives: 13:48 | Fast

Virar → Churchgate

Departs: 15:45 | Arrives: 17:09 | Slow

Goregaon → Churchgate

Departs: 19:06 | Arrives: 20:01 | Slow

DOWN Trains (6 Services – From Churchgate)

Churchgate → Borivali

Departs: 06:14 | Arrives: 07:19 | Slow

Churchgate → Virar

Departs: 08:27 | Arrives: 09:51 | Fast

Churchgate → Bhayandar

Departs: 11:30 | Arrives: 12:31 | Fast

Churchgate → Virar

Departs: 13:52 | Arrives: 15:36 | Slow

Churchgate → Goregaon

Departs: 17:57 | Arrives: 18:51 | Slow

Churchgate → Goregaon

Departs: 20:07 | Arrives: 21:02 | Slow.