Mumbai: AC Harbour Line trains return, non-AC commuters fear reduced services

AC train services on the CSMT-Vashi/Panvel route were first introduced on December 1, 2021, but were withdrawn soon after due to a lack of ridership. FILE PIC

The return of air-conditioned (AC) local trains on the Harbour Line has sparked worry among non-AC commuters who have sought their introduction as additional services and not as replacements to the existing services. The decision to reintroduce the services on Mumbai's Harbour Line from Republic Day, despite them not doing too well earlier on the route, leading to withdrawal, has triggered concern among thousands of daily non-AC commuters, as the new services will replace existing regular local trains rather than add to the total number of services.

Central Railway (CR) plans to replace 14 non-AC services on the Harbour Line stretch with AC locals, operating seven services each in the ‘Up' and ‘Down' directions starting January 26. As per the timetable, the first AC service of the day will leave Vashi station at 4.15 am for Wadala, and the return journey of the ‘Down' train will begin at 5.06 am from Wadala to Panvel. As for the peak hours, there will be a Panvel-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) service at 9.09 am, while the evening peak-hour service will operate on the Wadala-Panvel route, departing at 5.30 pm.

With these, the total number of AC local train services on CR will now be 94 (80 on the Main Line and 14 on the Harbour Line). However, the total number of suburban train services on the CR suburban network will remain unchanged at 1820 services. Commuters said there have been multiple efforts to introduce AC local trains on the Harbour and Trans-Harbour routes. However, services had to be withdrawn within a year or two due to a lack of response from commuters. Officials said the services are now being reintroduced following renewed demand.

Earlier efforts

Trans-Harbour Line (Thane-Vashi/Nerul-Panvel)
Introduced: January 31, 2020
Suspended (due to COVID): March 20, 2020
Restored: October 7, 2021
Withdrawn: January 3, 2022

Harbour Line (CSMT-Vashi/Panvel)
Introduced: December 1, 2021
Withdrawn: May 14, 2022

Harbour line (CSMT-Goregaon)
Introduced: January 3, 2022
Withdrawn: May 14, 2022

‘Fares must be reduced'

Manish Koparkar, Navi Mumbai Pravasi Sangh

‘The Harbour and Trans-Harbour lines have only one track in each direction. Most commuters travel in the affordable second-class compartment and belong to the middle class. Introducing AC locals by replacing 14 existing services hurts the majority. AC trains should be added only after capacity is increased. The railways must first build additional tracks on these lines. Premium services cannot come at the cost of basic, affordable transport for daily commuters'

Uttam Ghosh, commuter from Panvel

‘AC trains from Panvel are not required now. If it is for economic viability, then running them on Fridays and Sundays would be good, especially for business people and tourists. But if it is for convenience, and offered at subsidised rates, then Panvel-Thane services, especially during peak hours, are a very good idea. Students and the working class use the Panvel-Thane trains. Also, providing linking AC services to trains coming from Goa would be great. But we are not yet ready for that kind of punctuality'

AV Shenoy, Mumbai Mobility Forum

‘Railways should reduce the AC train fares to about 40 per cent higher than regular fares (similar to what was done by BEST). This will make the changeover easier. Today, we see more AC buses than non-AC buses on roads. It should also acquire additional AC trains faster to make a total changeover to AC trains in the next 2-3 years. This is a marketing technique used by corporations. IAS officer Praveen Pardeshi used it well for BEST buses. Additional costs for AC trains should be made a part of the entire expense and should not be recovered only from AC train users. The loss should be recovered by increasing the fares every two years by 7-8 per cent to cover inflation. Uber is using these tactics to make people switch from ‘Uber Go' to ‘Uber Sedan'. The difference is so low that people book a sedan'