Fully air-conditioned coaches, automatic doors, plush seats, CCTV and mobile charging points – all at no extra cost, rollout begins early 2026
Published on: November 25, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: Mumbai, India
In what is being hailed as the biggest relief for millions of daily Mumbai local train travellers, the Ministry of Railways and Western–Central Railway authorities have confirmed that brand-new air-conditioned local trains with metro-standard features will soon hit the tracks – and astonishingly, at exactly the same ticket fare as existing non-AC locals.
The first batch of these state-of-the-art 12-coach AC trains, manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, has already started arriving in Mumbai. Trial runs are scheduled for December 2025, with commercial operations expected to begin by February–March 2026.
Key features of the new AC locals:100% air-conditioned environment with temperature maintained at 24–26°C
Automatic sliding doors (just like Mumbai Metro) for safety and faster boarding
Cushioned, ergonomic stainless-steel seats with better leg room
LED lighting, infotainment screens, and mobile/laptop charging sockets under every seat
CCTV cameras in every coach and live GPS-based train tracking
Dedicated space for women, senior citizens, and differently-abled passengers
Energy-efficient regenerative braking that will reduce power consumption by up to 30%
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Railway officials revealed that the base fare will remain identical to current non-AC second-class tickets – ₹10 for the first 15 km and ₹5 for every additional slab – making world-class travel accessible to every Mumbaikar, from office-goers to students and daily wage workers.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while inspecting a prototype coach, said, “Mumbai’s lifeline is getting a complete upgrade. Lakhs of commuters who brave extreme heat and humidity every day will now travel in comfort and dignity – and that too without burning a hole in their pocket.”
Western Railway plans to introduce at least 50 such rakes in the first phase, gradually replacing the oldest non-AC locals on high-density routes like Churchgate–Virar, CSMT–Kasara/Karjat, and Borivali–Andheri Harbour lines. Central Railway will follow with another 40 rakes.
Commuter groups and citizen forums have welcomed the move as a “revolutionary step”. “Travelling in 45°C summer with 400% crowding was inhuman. This is a dream come true,” said Siddhesh Sharma, president of the Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh.
The new AC locals will run as “fast” services with limited stops during peak hours and as regular services during off-peak hours, ensuring maximum benefit for long-distance travellers.
With this historic upgrade, Mumbai is set to get the most affordable air-conditioned mass transit system in the world – proving once again that when it comes to public transport, the city that never sleeps is finally getting the comfort it truly deserves.
