Finally, Mumbai commuters to get air-conditioned locals from Dec 25

Mumbai Dec 23 (IANS) After years of speculation and planning the Railways will unveil the first airconditioned suburban trains for Mumbai commuters from Monday December 25.

The pre-New Year bonanza will see the first AC local leaving Andheri on Western Railway at 2.10 p.m. and reaching Churchgate at 2.44 pm.

After this introductory run six return services will be operated on the suburban sector on all weekdays with Saturday-Sunday kept free for maintenance purposes said WR chief spokesperson Ravinder Bhakar.

Of these 12 daily services eight will be operated on congested Churchgate-Virar (Palghar) sector three between Churchgate-Borivali both with halts at major stations while one will ply as a slow service halting at all stations between Mahalaxmi-Borivali.

The WR has also announced an introductory fare to lure commuters to the new cool style of commuting with the fare to be 1.3 times the cost of a first class one-way regular ticket.

There will be weekly fortnightly and monthly season tickets available at 5 7.5 and 10 times of the fare of regular first class ticket rates besides a five percent GST and other applicable charges.

--IANS
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