Looking at the popularity and growing demand by the commuters for the Mumbai AC local, the Western Railways (WR) has decided to introduce eight more services of such trains from today, August 8.
Currently, 40 services run on WR on weekdays and 32 on Sundays with the introduction of 8 new AC services two months ago.
Officials stated that fifth rakes will be introduced in service, thus allowing us to run eight more services.
There will be services in morning peak hour at 7:30 am from Virar, and at 9:48 am from Borivali. Meanwhile, during the evening peak hour, one service will operate from Churchgate at 6.35 pm.
Looking at the popularity & growing demand by the commuters, WR has increased the number of AC local services over Mumbai Suburban section from today, 8th August, 2022.
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) August 8, 2022
With the introduction of 8 new AC services, the total number of AC services will now increase from 40 to 48. pic.twitter.com/ZjFZwXSk24
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If reports are to be believed, the decrease in fares of journey tickets by 50 per cent has led to increase in ridership since May.
This development also comes with a significant rise in the passenger footfall of AC trains.
According to a data revealed by the railways, the average per day ridership in July was 46,800 compared to 22,000 in April. In July the average per train occupancy was 1,515, compared to 1,102 in April. Minimum fare in AC coach for 5km distance is INR 35 and for first class it is INR 25.
Earlier, WR introduced 12 more AC local services from 16 May 2022 onwards.
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