As the scorching summer heat intensifies, commuters are flocking towards air-conditioned (AC) train services provided by both the Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR).
This surge in demand has led to a notable increase in the sale of season tickets for AC trains, with both CR and WR experiencing a 2.5 times rise in bookings. On April 1st alone, more than 3,500 commuters booked season tickets for WR services, while 2,400 opted for CR services. WR, which operates a total of 96 AC services, witnesses an average daily ridership of 100,000 passengers, while CR, with 66 services, caters to around 56,000 passengers daily. The heightened demand on April 1st pushed WR’s ridership to 2.39 lakh and CR’s to 1.57 lakh.
In response to the escalating demand, the Railway Board issued a directive to Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, on December 26th, stipulating that WR would receive two additional rakes each year in 2023-24 and 2024-25. These rakes are equipped with advanced electrical systems provided by Medha, enhancing the efficiency of AC trains. A WR spokesperson stated, “A record-breaking 3,561 passengers booked season tickets, underscoring the substantial demand for these services.” On CR, a total of 2,434 season tickets were booked on April 1st. Comparatively, in March, WR averaged 1,450 season ticket bookings per day, while CR had 950. “The demand for AC season tickets saw a 2.4 times increase compared to March,” said a WR official. On CR, the demand for AC season tickets was 2.5 times more compared to March. Meanwhile, WR anticipates its AC services to surpass the 100-mark soon, with plans to acquire four more rakes in the next two years, including two before June.
Each Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train comprises multiple motorised coaches drawing power from Overhead Equipment (OHE). In the case of AC trains, power equipment is mounted underneath the coach, optimising space utilisation. With 50% powering, allowing six out of the 12 coaches to be motorised, these trains exhibit superior acceleration and deceleration compared to existing AC EMUs, which typically have only 33% powering (four motorised coaches). This design enhancement results in reduced stoppage times, mitigating delays caused by automatic door operations. As the demand for AC train services continues to surge amidst rising temperatures, railway authorities are striving to meet commuter needs by enhancing capacity and efficiency across CR and WR networks.
