Mumbai: New Suburban Services and Upgraded Trains Set to Enhance Western Line Commute from 12th October

Mumbai, 2nd October 2024: In a positive development for the 2.9 million commuters using the Western line between Churchgate and Dahanu daily, Western Railway (WR) will introduce 12 new suburban services starting October 12, increasing the total to 1,406. This expansion follows the addition of a sixth rail line between Goregaon and Kandivali.

The new services include six on the UP (towards Churchgate) and DOWN (towards Dahanu) routes. WR has upgraded ten 12-car rakes to 15-car rakes and extended six existing services to ease travel from the city’s northernmost suburbs.

“We are ready to implement the new suburban timetable from October 12, aiming for improved passenger comfort and convenience,” stated Vineet Abhishek, chief public relations officer, of Western Railway.

The extended services with longer rakes will particularly benefit the increasing number of commuters on the Virar-Dahanu route. The number of travellers on this stretch has grown from 65,000 pre-Covid to around 125,000-130,000 daily.

“Four new services between Dahanu and Virar will meet the demands of residents in this area. The number of 15-car services will rise from 199 to 209,” added another WR official. These 15-car trains will operate as fast services between Churchgate and Virar.

Prathamesh Sawant, a Boisar resident, expressed his approval of the changes, saying, “We had been requesting more services between Virar and Dahanu due to the overcrowding during peak hours.”