In an effort to improve punctuality of Mumbai’s Western Railway AC local train services, a dedicated 15-member squad of ticket checkers (TCs) has been deployed. Their primary task is to monitor and fine ticketless commuters, particularly during peak hours when unauthorized passengers crowd AC compartments. These intrusions frequently obstruct automatic door operations, especially when commuters occupy the footboard or block entrances, preventing doors from closing and causing delays in train departures. The Borivali–Virar stretch has been identified as a hotspot for such issues.
Dedicated Squad in AC Locals Boosts Punctuality and Discipline on Western Railway
According to Western Railway officials, nearly 10% of the 40–50 daily delayed services are caused by these obstructions in AC trains. The inability to close doors disrupts synchronized door systems, delaying trains by an average of 10 minutes during rush hours. To combat this, the newly formed squad travels exclusively on AC trains and has taken action against 709 ticketless commuters, collecting ₹2.30 lakh in fines between May 30 and June 5. The railway plans to expand this initiative to maintain train discipline and improve timeliness.
Currently, Western Railway runs 1,406 local train services daily, including 109 AC locals, with 65 of these operating on weekends. The move has been welcomed by commuter associations. Kailash Verma of the Maharashtra Railway Commuters Council highlighted that ticketless passengers often occupy seats meant for valid AC ticket holders. Nandkumar Deshmukh from the Federation of Suburban Railway Passengers Association suggested increasing AC services and reducing fares to accommodate demand. He noted that overcrowding forces some to travel ticketless, as waiting for the next train often means facing even worse congestion. By enforcing ticketing rules and targeting problem areas, Western Railway hopes to restore order and efficiency to Mumbai’s crucial suburban rail system.
Summary:
To improve punctuality, Western Railway deployed a 15-member squad to monitor AC locals and fine ticketless commuters. These unauthorized passengers often block doors, causing delays. The squad fined 709 commuters in a week, collecting ₹2.30 lakh. Commuter groups support the move and urge fare cuts and more AC services to ease crowding.
