WR to convert 47 trains from nine to 12 car

Western Railway (WR) has a New Year gift for commuters — 47 more services will become 12-car from 9-car from January 1, 2011. The additional space would benefit nearly 60,000 commuters.

Western Railway (WR) has a New Year gift for commuters — 47 more services will become 12-car from 9-car from January 1, 2011. The additional space would benefit nearly 60,000 commuters.

HT Image

Now, 70% of WR services — 845 in all — are 12-car.

Of the 47 new 12-car services, 27 would run on the Churchgate-Borivli route and 15 on the Churchgate-Andheri route. Officials said there has been a 65% increase in 12-car services in the past three years compared to an increase of just 7% in passengers. WR now ferries 33 lakh commuters every day.

WR is also increasing services at Malad by adding two services there.

“We hope to add 100 services by February 2011 by converting 9-car trains into 12-car ones,” said Sharat Chandrayan, WR spokesman.

The plan is to slowly reduce the number of 9-car trains; only 16 are left on WR routes.

All trains on the fast corridor to Virar are now 12-car and this is expected to increase by June 2011 once the 1,500-volt direct current lines are converted to 25,000-volt alternating current.