Speak up Mumbai: Is air-conditioning half of local train a good idea?

The plan of converting one half of the 12-car local train into an air-conditioned has been in the news for some time.

But the railway authorities claim it's technically not feasible for a local to have both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned sections.

At present, there is only one AC local, which runs on the Western Railway between Churchgate and Virar, plying 12 services through the day. However, only 1,500 commuters use the AC service daily, though it has a capacity to ferry 4,500 commuters.

The Railway Board has been thinking of having a single local train of 12 cars divided into two equal parts — half AC and the other half regular.

This comes at a time when the coach manufacturers are ready to supply more AC locals for Mumbai. These include the seven fully AC locals manufactured by the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, which are expected to be divided into half if the plan of half-AC gets the approval of the authorities. This will, in turn, provide 14 half-AC trains.

We ask commuters in the city if they want half-AC locals running through the city.

VOICES

It is, indeed, a great decision. Given that we have a very humid climate, it is a welcome move. It remains to be seen, however, how the plan can be implemented in the right and timely fashion. Also, it has to be ensured that the fares are reasonably priced so that a large percentage of the public can benefit from it.
— Uzma Malik, Mira Road resident

If this happens, I will park my car and choose to travel by train, but only if they are less crowded. The authorities have to see if they have enough trains for that. Also, this should not lead to more accidents due to overcrowding in certain parts of the mixed local. They should think of running more trains.
— Biju Augustine, Andheri resident

I personally feel that with the number of accidents due to overcrowding, they need to improve the existing system. AC trains or partially AC trains are not important. The budget should be used to improve the compartments and provide more trains. There are too many people hanging outside the rakes and running the risk of falling. Students routinely miss trains due to overcrowding. AC train doors may be shut but what about the other section? The need is to have more compartments and trains over AC train and bullet trains."
— Shyama Kulkarni, Bandra resident

Why just half, I feel the complete train should be air-conditioned. Mumbaikars pay the highest taxes and more than 75 lakh commuters depend on local trains. Air-conditioned trains are not luxury but an immediate need for Mumbaikars, given the hot and humid conditions. If people travel comfortably, it will help increase productivity at work. Also, precious lives would be saved due to these trains as people will not lean outside since the doors would be closed.
— Gopal Jhaveri, Borivali resident

This is not practical as this will lead chaos during rush hours. Most of the commuters in suburban trains travel in second class and their number of quite high in comparison of commuter in first class or air-conditioned train. There are already reserved seats for women and if the remaining space is air-conditioned, where will the second class. The step will only create chaos.
— Rashid Shaikh, Ghatkopar resident

Many Dombivali and Kalyan residents who are at premium posts in MNCs travel by cars to Mumbai. Having AC coaches in trains will facilitate their transportation and will reduce congestion on the roads. However, rather than converting all the trains into partially AC and non-AC, the railways should limit the numbers. In this manner they will provide the services as well as not affect the train time table.
— Sandeep Vaidya, Dombivali resident

I think this is an excellent idea. As of now, there are very few AC services that run throughout the day in Mumbai. Which is why there has been instances wherein some people are not able to board these AC locals as the timing do not match as per their convenience. Now if we will have AC coaches in the usual local trains, then it will be much more convenient for everyone who wish to travel by AC locals. I think the railways should work on this idea as early as possible and give Mumbaikars a pleasant surprise before the summer comes.
— Somnath Yadav, Chakala resident

Public transportation in essence should be for the 'public'. With this move, the railways, which is the lifeline of Mumbai, will no longer be a common man's mode of transportation. This might increase the pressure on the already stressed roads as people would take buses. Though train travel would get more comfortable, it would defeat the purpose of having AC Metro rails across the city."
— Rashmi Shetty, Borivali resident

EXPERT SPEAK

We have made a proposal to the railways asking them to run semi-AC locals in Mumbai. This will give commuters the option to travel in air-conditioned locals. Currently, there is a very small percentage of passengers who use the AC local. Until the time demand for AC locals isn't great enough, it's better to run partially AC local trains.
— Subhash Gupta, president, Rail Yatri Sangh

We have made a demand before the railways ministry to run locals that are air-conditioned as well as non-AC. This will benefit the people. Presently, there is only one AC local and when it leaves the 
station, a huge crowd gathers at the platform waiting for the next service. So there is a need for the rail authorities to try running both systems in the same train.
— Madhu Kotian, president, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh