Latest news with #ACEMU
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cool comfort worth the extra 100, say passengers on board state's first AC local
Kolkata: Suburban commuters on board the maiden AC EMU Ranaghat-Sealdah train were ecstatic to experience the much-awaited service on the first day of the week. The feelings were mixed when it came to coughing up Rs 120 for the ride from Ranaghat to Sealdah. While some seemed sensitive about paying Rs 100 more for a journey that otherwise costs Rs 20 in non-AC rakes, others said the cool comfort and the superior travel justified the fare. A monthly ticket costs Rs 2,430. The one-way fare ranges from Rs 35 to Rs 120 depending on the distance travelled. The train was flagged off with much fanfare from Sealdah on Sunday. Commercial services started at 8.29 am on Monday. The inaugural commercial service was fairly crowded, with several passengers standing. But there was enough legroom, unlike the non-AC local trains. Ranaghat resident Dilip Ghosh, who works in Khadi Bhavan on CR Avenue, was smiling as he looked around the ICF-made rake, from the AC vent over the seat, noting the time as the automatic doors closed and the train chugged out of Ranaghat station. "This is like travelling on a metro train. We are covering 90 km in AC comfort and saving time as well. It would have taken around Rs 1,000 for the same ride on a hired car and taken me at least two-and-a-half hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo I shall reach Sealdah station at 10.10 am. A bus ride from there to my office will take another 10 mins," the 55-year-old said happily. "I shall try to catch the return train at 6.50 pm so I can be home by 8.45 pm (the Down train reaches Ranaghat at 8.32 pm)," he added. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata The train will make two trips every day, addressing the morning and evening rush, and stop at Bidhannagar Road, Dum Dum Junction, Sodepur, Khardah, Barrackpore, Naihati, Kanchrapara, Kalyani, and Chakdah, officials of Eastern Railway's Sealdah division said. "I don't know...," said Balmiki Ray, a passenger who took the train from Khardah. "I would have paid Rs 5 for the same journey. Today I bought a ticket to Sealdah for Rs 60. The monthly passes will be a bit cheaper. But I wonder if it makes sense to increase my daily commuting expense 12 times for this comfort," the worker employed with a shop at Bagri Market said. Biplab Mondol, who boarded the train from Chakdah, echoed: "Today I paid Rs 105 because I was curious about the facility. The monthly ticket will cost me Rs 2,125. It's difficult to make a call when the daily commuting by non-AC train costs barely Rs 10," Mondol said. Arati Saha, a schoolteacher from Krishnanagar, insisted: "This is the ultimate comfort and safety. Two reserved coaches for ladies, that, too, air-conditioned! Only two rides may seem tokenistic, but this is certainly a significant start." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
West Bengal's first AC local train to commence inaugural run on Sunday – Check route, speed, stoppages, ticket price
AC local train in Kolkata: West Bengal is set to get its first air-conditioned (AC) local train this Sunday. Developed by Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF), this new AC EMU train promises to be a game changer for the state's rail network. The train has been allocated to the Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway (ER). West Bengal's first AC local train will run between Sealdah and Ranaghat. It will cover the entire distance in 01:40 hrs. The train will run at a highest speed of 110 kmph. 'It will be a galloping service with lesser number of stoppages at important stations making it a premium suburban mode of transportation,' the ER said. The Sealdah to Ranaghat AC local train has 12 fully air-conditioned coaches of stainless steel body, ensuring a safe, secured and comfortable journey. There is seating accommodation for 1,126 passengers. The train will stop at Chakdah, Kalyani, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Barrackpore, Khardah, Sodepur, Dumdum and Bidhannagar stations en route its journey. The fare of Sealdah to Ranaghat AC local train is highly affordable at Rs 120 for the entire stretch and the lowest fare is Rs 35. Additionally, the daily commuters are provided with wide array of ticketing options as they can choose between daily, weekly, fortnightly and monthly tickets. The inaugural run of Sealdah to Ranaghat AC EMU train will proceed from Sealdah on Sunday (August 10, 2025) and the commercial run of this train service will commence from Ranaghat on Monday (August 11, 2025). The Sealdah-Ranaghat AC EMU rake has several features, such as: Anish Mondal is a business journalist with over nine years of experience. He writes on diverse subjects such as Infrastructure, Railways, Roadways, Aviation, Politics, Market, Parliamentary affairs, Corporate earnings, General and International news etc. ... Read More
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Railways to launch 1st AC EMU service in Eastern India on Sealdah-Ranaghat route
The Sealdah Division of the Eastern railway is all set to unfold a very special gift for the commuters of Kolkata and the Suburban Main Section. The first AC EMU service between Sealdah and Ranaghat will become an integral part of the suburban transportation system, making train journeys safe, comfortable and inaugural run of the AC EMU will take place on Sunday, August 10. advertisementThe City of Joy is elated to have this magnificent gift from the Sealdah Division. This is not only the first AC local service in West Bengal, rather this is going to be the first AC EMU train service in Eastern India. The much-awaited Air-Conditioned EMU train will leave Ranaghat in the morning peak hour at 8.29 am and will reach Sealdah at 10.10 am. The UP AC local will leave Sealdah at 6.50 pm and will reach Ranagahat at 8.32 pm to cater to the evening rush."The train will stop at Chakdah, Kalyani, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Barrackpore, Khardah, Sodepur, Dumdum and Bidhannagar enroute," said Eastern Railway officials. The AC trains will have complete CCTV surveillance inside the compartments, automatic sliding doors, comfortable seats, long glass windows, an emergency talkback unit to talk with the pilot in case of an emergency, to India Today, an Eastern Railway official told India Today, "The AC EMU service will commence its commercial run before 15th August and, of course, it's going to be a fitting tribute to Kolkata on the eve of Independence Day, symbolising Sealdah Division's unflinching commitment to the safety, security, modernisation and passenger welfare. "The AC Rake, loaded with state-of-the-art features, will run smoothly to provide our daily commuters a welcome respite from scorching heat and overcrowding," the official added. The chief public relations officer of the Eastern Railway told India Today, "The Eastern railway has planned to flag off the inaugural run of AC EMU service between Ranaghat junction to Sealdah this Sunday."- EndsMust Watch
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Beat the Heat for rupees 29: Eastern Railway to Launch Budget Air-Conditioned Suburban Train Service
(Written by Debasmita Chowdhury) The Eastern Railway zone is running trials for air-conditioned suburban train services which officials said will be offered at significantly low fares. It has received its first AC EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) train manufactured at Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, which has been deployed to the Sealdah Division for testing and trial runs. A second AC EMU rake is expected to arrive shortly at the Eastern Railway Jurisdiction. Officials say that the inaugural service, which is to be operated on the Sealdah-Ranaghat route once the trials are concluded, will offer competitive fares of Rs 29 for journeys up to 10 km and Rs 37 for distances of 11-15 km. Monthly season tickets are priced at Rs 590 and Rs 780 respectively. Dr Uday Shankar Jha, Principal Chief Commercial Manager, Eastern Railway, said, 'It is a matter of great pride that the eastern part of the country, Eastern Railway, is taking the lead to introduce ACAMU services.' He stated that the air-conditioned coaches would provide relief from 'extreme heat, extreme rush, and so many other related discomforts' that suburban passengers currently face. Jha also said, 'Initially, it is believed that AC travel will be very costly, but Indian Railways has introduced a fair scheme which is much more competitive and in comparison to roadways, it is almost 10 times cheaper'. The 12-coach trains will feature stainless steel construction with end-to-end connectivity through sealed vestibule gangways, allowing free movement between compartments. Each coach has four electrically operated sliding doors per side controlled by drivers, three-seater stainless steel seats, and enhanced air circulation systems for approximately 1,100 passengers. Additional amenities include CCTV surveillance, wear-resistant rubber flooring, aluminium extruded modular luggage racks, GPS-based passenger information displays, and large double-sealed windows to enhance the comfort of the passengers. 'Passengers will be able to commute from their home to their office in a pleasant condition and even carry out office work during travel due to better seating and air circulation, hence getting a double benefit,' said Jha. Eastern Railway officials indicate that the service will meet growing suburban passenger demands while modernising rail travel in the Kolkata metropolitan area at a very affordable price. Commercial operations will begin after completion of the current testing and trial runs.
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- The Hindu
Launched in April, AC suburban train services fail to attract commuters
The first air-conditioned suburban train service, launched by the Southern Railway in April, has failed to garner positive response from the commuters, despite the sweltering heat. The 12-car AC electric multiple unit (EMU), operated on the Beach-Chengalpattu via Tambaram route, does not carry even half the sitting capacity (1,120 persons), with the average patronage being only 1,500 commuters per day. While the Metro services in the city reach full capacity during peak hours, the AC EMU is yet to touch even 50% of its total carrying capacity (3,798 persons). The AC EMU services were allotted to the Chennai Division after several a second unit is expected. Designed like Metro trains with automatic door system, the EMUs have vestibular coaches, stainless steel seats, and fans for additional air circulation. On one hand, commuters point to the high fare, while on the other, transport activists attribute the lukewarm response to poor planning of operations. Dayanand Krishnan, a train enthusiast and resident of Chitlapakkam, cites the exorbitant fare as the probable reason for poor patronage. In a petition to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mr. Krishnan sought reduction of the fare, which has been fixed at ₹85 from Beach to Tambaram, and ₹105 from Chengalpattu to Beach. Comparing the city's AC EMUs with the Vande Metro operating from Bhuj to Anjar in Gujarat, he said the latter, which had a far better technology with ergonomic seats, charged only ₹55 for a 42-km ride as against the ₹85 for a 30-km ride between Tambaram and Beach. While the minimum fare is fixed at ₹35 for up to 10 km, the monthly season ticket price is fixed at ₹2,115 from Beach to Chengalpattu, and ₹1,705 from Beach to Tambaram. Regular commuters said better planning of operations could increase patronage of the services. At present, the AC EMU, which is attached to the Tambaram shed, is being operated on a longer route — from Beach to Chengalpattu — involving a travel time of more than one-and-a-half hours. It is also operated for 10 services only. T. Raghunathan, a regular suburban commuter from Perungalathur, said they should be operated as short services from Tambaram to Beach rather than till Chengalpattu. He called for more services during morning and evening peak hours, parallel to the suburban services, which are usually jam-packed. The commuters also want the AC EMU services to be operated on the west section, at least between Beach and Avadi. A senior official of the Chennai Division said the AC EMU fare had been fixed based on ones charged for AC train services in Mumbai. He added that they would examine the feasibility of operating more services from Beach to Tambaram.
