The city is gearing up to receive 238 new AC local trains with first prototype rake likely to arrive in 2024 and the remainder over the next few years. The new AC locals will not only have a passenger information system similar to Metro trains but also an inbuilt infotainment and CCTV system.
Even as these plans are on the anvil, railway authorities are working on better performance characteristics in AC trains, including maximum speed, better acceleration and deceleration capacity.
Existing AC local trains in the city have acceleration/ deceleration capacity of .54 metre per second square; the proposed new AC locals will have more than .70 metre per second square acceleration/deceleration capacity.
A senior railway official said keeping in mind (the competition from) the upcoming Metro networks across the city, they are not only trying to upgrade passenger amenities but are also in the process of rationalising AC train fares. The official added the tendering process of procurement of new trains has already been started by the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation ( MRVC).
The chairman and managing director of MRVC, Ravi Agarwal said all new AC trains will also be well-equipped with state-of-the-art inbuilt infotainment system, high power CCTV cameras and route maps similar to Metros. He said specifications for these new local trains are being finalised, but they will surely have better amenities than the trains already running on the suburban section.
While 47 AC local trains will be procured under the MUTP-3, 191 will be procured under MUTP-3A. Given the 25-year lifespan of rolling stock, these rakes will serve the suburban network until 2050.
Features :
● AC trains to be procured-
238
● Coaches in each train-12
● Inbuilt infotainment system
● Metro type passenger information system
● High power CCTV cameras
● 50% higher acceleration/deceleration capacity
● Route map
● 1st Prototype rake will reach Mumbai by 2024
