Western Railway (WR) is increasing 26 of its suburban services from nine to 12 cars, boosting capacity by almost 38,000 people.
There will now be 1,116 12-car services a day – 98 per cent of total mainline services.
In 1990-91, WR was running only 10 12-car services.
“There has been 119 per cent increase in 12 car services on WR in last five years, whereas the increase in suburban passengers has been 11 per cent during the same period,” WR said in a statement.
“During the same period, there has been an increase of capacity by 35 per cent in the last five years, whereas the density of commuters per coach has reduced by 18 per cent.”
In 2012, WR transported 3.48 million commuters daily, compared to the 3.14 million commuters it ferried in 2006-07 – an increase of 11.08 per cent.
WR operates suburban services from Churchgate (South Mumbai) to Virar (64 km from the centre of Mumbai) and then connecting to Dahanu Road (120 km).
Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) operate between Churchgate and Virar, while Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMUs) service the section beyond Virar to Dahanu Road station.
