WR To Launch 12 New Suburban Services From October 12

In a significant move aimed at improving daily commute for millions of passengers, Western Railway (WR) is set to introduce 12 additional suburban services starting from October 12. The addition comes after the completion of a crucial sixth rail track between Goregaon and Kandivali, enabling WR to expand its services and offer greater convenience to commuters.

The expanded service network will benefit the 2.9 million daily passengers who rely on the Western line, especially those traveling from the northern suburbs towards Churchgate and Dahanu. The changes are expected to provide relief from the overcrowded conditions often faced during peak travel times.

Train-related details:

• New services added: 12
• Total services now available: 1,406
• Services added on UP line (towards Churchgate): 6
• Services added on DOWN line (towards Dahanu): 6
• 12-car trains converted to 15-car trains: 10
• Additional 15-car services introduced: 10 (taking the total from 199 to 209)
• Extension of services: 6 existing services extended

The new services will be distributed across both UP and DOWN routes, and the introduction of longer 15-car trains is aimed at catering to the increasing number of passengers on the Virar-Dahanu belt. This region has seen a significant rise in commuter numbers, with daily ridership growing from 65,000 before the pandemic to around 125,000-130,000.

To meet this rising demand, four new services will be introduced between Dahanu and Virar. The longer 15-car trains will run as fast services between Churchgate and Virar, further easing the pressure during peak travel times.

Local residents have welcomed these changes, with Boisar resident Prathamesh Sawant expressing relief that more services will be available between Virar and Dahanu, particularly during the heavily congested rush hours.