CSMT gets battery-powered cars to ferry senior citizens, differently-abled commuters
The battery powered cars were introduced at CSMT today (Picture Courtesy: Rajendra B. Aklekar)
In a good news for rail commuters, Central Railway has introduced two battery operated cars at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to ferry senior citizens, differently-abled, and ailing commuters.
The facility will help thousands of commuters who travel to South Mumbai hospitals for treatment every day.
The service will be run by private firms and commuters will have to pay Rs 40 for a ride to the platform. The cars were introduced on Monday and are already operational.
Similar cars will be introduced at Dadar and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) soon. Based on the response, the facility may be extended at other stations.
The facility to book the services in advance will also be made available on IRCTC’s website and the railway helpline.
The tender for procuring the battery operated cars was floated last year. The initial plan entailed the procurement of four cars for CSMT, three for LTT and one for Dadar.
Back in 2016, railway board had issued directives to all the zonal railways to provide battery operated cars at major stations, following which CR introduced them the cars at CSMT.
The cars, however, were scrapped a few months later after passengers complained about their quality and availability.
Two battery cars at Mumbai CSMT station of @Central_Railway from today for Rs 40 per ride for ill and senior citizens. Dadar & LTT to get soon. pic.twitter.com/uBKa7wUnTs
— Rajendra B. Aklekar (@rajtoday) April 2, 2018
