World record passenger traffic density
The Western Railway line between Churchgate terminus and Dahanu Road carries about 2.6 million passengers per day, almost 43 percent of the total Mumbai suburban rail traffic. The annual passenger traffic density for the Western Line exceeds 145 million passenger-km per km of route per year. In other words, more than 145 million passengers travel, on average, over each km of line per year. The busiest segment, 60 km between Churchgate terminus and Virar, carries almost 900 million passengers per year.
The annual traffic density, about 255 million passenger-km per km of route, is believed to be the world record for passenger rail transport.
Due to its extensive reach across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and its intensive use by the local urban population, overcrowding has grown to be a compelling problem (5,000 + passengers are packed into a 9-car rake during peak hours, as against the rated carrying capacity of 1,700). This has resulted in what is known as Super-Dense Crush Load of 14 to 16 standing passengers per square metre of floor space.
Trains on the suburban line are on average more than 4 minutes apart, contributing to the problem of overcrowding. The impending introduction of new higher speed rakes may help address the issue.
Mumbai suburban services have various designations (not all of them official, but in wide use). A 'fast' train or 'fast local' is essentially one that is fast (runs express, skipping stops) until a certain station, and from that station onwards runs like a local, e.g., the Virar Fast runs express to Borivli, and thence is a local.
The term 'superfast local' is sometimes used too, e.g., for trains that skip stations to reach Virar early in the down direction so they are available earlier to carry more passengers in the up direction later. On WR lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to one that runs as an express until Bandra or Andheri. A 'double-fast' is one that runs as an express for an even longer stretch compared to the 'fast' services.
On CR lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to any train that runs as an express to Kalyan, or until its terminus. There used to be a Kalyan Fast that ran non-stop from Ghatkopar to Bombay VT (as it then was).
The term 'semi-fast' is sometimes applied to trains that run express until Thane. The term 'bada-fast' (Hindi 'bada'= big) was used for services running express between Borivli - Bandra - Marine Lines, and is sometimes synonymous with 'double-fast'. The term 'triple-fast' has been reported (from a long time back) for express services between Dahisar and Marine Lines.
In Kolkata, suburban trains that skipped intermediate stations were/are informally known as 'galloping locals'. Other terms used in the Kolkata area are 'super' and 'super-fast' for different kinds of express services.
Ladies Specials are trains that have some or all coaches reserved for women. A 'Complete Ladies Special' is one with all coaches reserved for women passengers (Mumbai suburban EMUs). A 'Semi-Ladies Special' is a train with a few (e.g., 3) coaches reserved for women (also on Mumbai EMUs). These designations can be combined with 'fast', 'slow', etc., so you have terms such as 'Slow Complete Ladies Special', 'Semi-Fast Semi-Ladies', etc.
While local trains are replete with travellers around the clock, there are hours when the rush mounts to a situation barely allowing the inmates enough room to breathe.
Mornings (8.00 am – 12.00 am), office goers make their way toward Churchgate from the suburbs. Undertaking a train trip during this time towards town is not advisable. Evenings (5.00 pm – 9.00 pm), from Churchgate to the suburbs, office goers on the way back home barge into the trains, leaving no room for novices to enter.
The fast trains (especially those heading to Virar) are even more congested than slow trains, and one must approach with trepidation at peak hours. Avoid standing near the door during these hours for hordes of individuals rush in at every station (including the final destination) and are likely to injure the unsuspecting visitor.
In all seriousness, successfully entering a train during rush hours is an achievement, holding your ground all the way through without any squabbles/abuses is a bigger success, and to alight at the desired railway station on two legs is what we call a truly happy journey.
Well, what do you expect when 4,700 passengers are packed into a 9-coach train during peak hours, as against the carrying capacity of 1,700? This is Mumbai and its lifeline. Ye hai Mumbai Meri Jaan!
The Western Railway line between Churchgate terminus and Dahanu Road carries about 2.6 million passengers per day, almost 43 percent of the total Mumbai suburban rail traffic. The annual passenger traffic density for the Western Line exceeds 145 million passenger-km per km of route per year. In other words, more than 145 million passengers travel, on average, over each km of line per year. The busiest segment, 60 km between Churchgate terminus and Virar, carries almost 900 million passengers per year.
The annual traffic density, about 255 million passenger-km per km of route, is believed to be the world record for passenger rail transport.
Due to its extensive reach across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and its intensive use by the local urban population, overcrowding has grown to be a compelling problem (5,000 + passengers are packed into a 9-car rake during peak hours, as against the rated carrying capacity of 1,700). This has resulted in what is known as Super-Dense Crush Load of 14 to 16 standing passengers per square metre of floor space.
Trains on the suburban line are on average more than 4 minutes apart, contributing to the problem of overcrowding. The impending introduction of new higher speed rakes may help address the issue.
Mumbai suburban services have various designations (not all of them official, but in wide use). A 'fast' train or 'fast local' is essentially one that is fast (runs express, skipping stops) until a certain station, and from that station onwards runs like a local, e.g., the Virar Fast runs express to Borivli, and thence is a local.
The term 'superfast local' is sometimes used too, e.g., for trains that skip stations to reach Virar early in the down direction so they are available earlier to carry more passengers in the up direction later. On WR lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to one that runs as an express until Bandra or Andheri. A 'double-fast' is one that runs as an express for an even longer stretch compared to the 'fast' services.
On CR lines, the term 'fast' train is often applied to any train that runs as an express to Kalyan, or until its terminus. There used to be a Kalyan Fast that ran non-stop from Ghatkopar to Bombay VT (as it then was).
The term 'semi-fast' is sometimes applied to trains that run express until Thane. The term 'bada-fast' (Hindi 'bada'= big) was used for services running express between Borivli - Bandra - Marine Lines, and is sometimes synonymous with 'double-fast'. The term 'triple-fast' has been reported (from a long time back) for express services between Dahisar and Marine Lines.
In Kolkata, suburban trains that skipped intermediate stations were/are informally known as 'galloping locals'. Other terms used in the Kolkata area are 'super' and 'super-fast' for different kinds of express services.
Ladies Specials are trains that have some or all coaches reserved for women. A 'Complete Ladies Special' is one with all coaches reserved for women passengers (Mumbai suburban EMUs). A 'Semi-Ladies Special' is a train with a few (e.g., 3) coaches reserved for women (also on Mumbai EMUs). These designations can be combined with 'fast', 'slow', etc., so you have terms such as 'Slow Complete Ladies Special', 'Semi-Fast Semi-Ladies', etc.
While local trains are replete with travellers around the clock, there are hours when the rush mounts to a situation barely allowing the inmates enough room to breathe.
Mornings (8.00 am – 12.00 am), office goers make their way toward Churchgate from the suburbs. Undertaking a train trip during this time towards town is not advisable. Evenings (5.00 pm – 9.00 pm), from Churchgate to the suburbs, office goers on the way back home barge into the trains, leaving no room for novices to enter.
The fast trains (especially those heading to Virar) are even more congested than slow trains, and one must approach with trepidation at peak hours. Avoid standing near the door during these hours for hordes of individuals rush in at every station (including the final destination) and are likely to injure the unsuspecting visitor.
In all seriousness, successfully entering a train during rush hours is an achievement, holding your ground all the way through without any squabbles/abuses is a bigger success, and to alight at the desired railway station on two legs is what we call a truly happy journey.
Well, what do you expect when 4,700 passengers are packed into a 9-coach train during peak hours, as against the carrying capacity of 1,700? This is Mumbai and its lifeline. Ye hai Mumbai Meri Jaan!