Mumbai Local Trains are the heart of this coastal city. The Western and Central Railways combined run the Local Trains of Mumbai. Mumbai would be slow and stuck without this resilient network of local trains
Here are 15 amazing facts about Mumbai Local Trains that you cannot miss:
1. The lifeline of Mumbai: Mumbai is a city of 12.5 million people. It cannot run without the local trains. The local trains make life’s of Mumbaikars easy.
2. Very Frequent: The Mumbai Local Trains have a frequency of 3 - 5 minutes
3. Headquarters: Mumbai Suburban Railway has two headquarters. First is Churchgate, which is the headquarters of Western Railway. Second is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station, which is the headquarters of Central Railway.
4. Mumbai’s dabbawalas rely on locals: Mumbai runs on trains and food. Mumbai’s dabbawalas are known for their punctuality. They use local trains to travel great distances.
5. Spread over a vast area: The Mumbai Local Railway system spans over 465 km
6. The trains are non-stop: The train doesn't stop at any time of day. The train services halt briefly from about 1:00 AM to 4:00 A.M
7. Divided into major corridors: There are 4 major corridors in Mumbai Railway. They are the Central Line, the Western Line, the Harbour Line, and the Trans-Harbour Line.
8. Various types of trains: There are four types of trains. ‘S’ for SLOW, ‘F’ for FAST, ‘SF’ for Semi Fast, and ‘AC’ for Air Conditioned.
9. The trains are overcrowded: Overcrowding during peak hours is a common phenomenon in Mumbai Local Trains.
10. Special ladies trains: Some local trains are ‘ladies only’. This is a special way of ensuring the safety of ladies. Some trains also have 2-3 coaches as ‘ladies only’ compartments.
11. Open coaches: Mumbai Local Trains are known for their open doors and windows. This allows for natural ventilation in jam-packed and overcrowded trains.
12. Heavy rains are no deterrent: Mumbai Local Trains are known for their resilience. Even during heavy rains, the local trains slow down but do not stop.
13. The tracks are old: The Mumbai Local System was launched by the Britishers in 1853. It is the oldest railway network in Asia.
14. Travelled by millions: Around 7.5 million people travel on the Mumbai Local Trains every day.
15. Frequently used by Bollywood: The Mumbai Suburban Railway system is often depicted in Bollywood movies. Some of the popular movies are RaOne, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Life in A Metro, Agneepath, and Slumdog Millionaire.