Mumbai Local News: WR to deploy ‘pushers’ at Andheri, Dadar, Borivali to reduce AC train delays

Western Railway (WR) is set to deploy trained personnel, commonly referred to as "pushers," at some of Mumbai’s busiest suburban railway stations to speed up passenger boarding and reduce delays in air-conditioned (AC) local trains.

The initiative is being introduced as overcrowding in AC locals has emerged as a key factor affecting punctuality on the suburban network. Railway officials believe that reducing station halt times, even by a few seconds, can help maintain the schedule of subsequent services.

Why AC Local Trains Are Causing Delays

Unlike regular suburban trains, AC locals operate with automatic doors and have limited entry and exit points. During peak hours, passengers often gather near doorways, slowing down boarding and alighting.

As a result:

• Trains spend longer than scheduled at platforms.
• Automatic doors fail to close on time due to crowding.
• Delays at one station affect the movement of subsequent services.
• Overall network punctuality suffers.

Stations Identified for Deployment

Personnel will be stationed at high-footfall stations where crowding is most severe, including:

The staff will manage passenger movement and ensure train doors close as per schedule.

Impact on Mumbai's Suburban Network

According to Western Railway data:

Railway officials have identified prolonged station halts as a major contributor to these delays.

Rise in Ticketless Travel

Western Railway has also reported a sharp increase in ticketless travel in AC local trains.

Future of AC Local Services

Western Railway and Central Railway continue to pursue plans for a gradual increase in AC train services on Mumbai’s suburban network. However, concerns remain regarding:

• Higher fares compared to regular local trains.
• Limited carrying capacity during peak hours.
• Challenges of accommodating the large suburban commuter population.

Despite growing demand for AC travel, railway authorities have clarified that there is currently no proposal to increase the number of AC local services during peak-hour periods.