Late-night Mumbai local train commuters hit by Central Railway’s revised timings

Late-night suburban commuters in Mumbai are reportedly frustrated by the early closure of Mumbai local train services on the Central Railway (CR) main line, which now ends operations earlier than Western Railways (WR) trains, according to Free Press Journal (FPJ). 

The Central Railways implemented a new timetable on October 5, with its last local train to Karjat and Kasara departing earlier at 12.12 am and 12.08 am, respectively. Meanwhile, Western Railway services run until 1 am, leading to complaints of “step-motherly treatment” by late-night commuters. 

The Suburban Passengers Association argued that the revised schedule limits travel options and significantly affects passengers working late shifts.

The changes affect nearly 83 suburban trains. While some services have been extended on a few routes and new halts added, the curtailed timings on the Central Line have left commuters with fewer options at night. The association has called for Central Railways to align its schedule with WR’s extended timings, saying longer operating hours are essential for the city’s round-the-clock lifestyle.

Western Railway vs Central Railay timings

According to FPJ, WR's last trains leave Churchgate at 12:20 am from Virar and depart Borivali at 1 am. In contrast, Central Railway's final train to Kasara leaves Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus at 12:08 am, followed by the Karjat train at 12:12 am and the last Thane train at 12:24 am.

According to an Indian Express report, CR has extended services on certain routes and shifted 21 trains' starting or end points from Dadar to Parel. This extension is likely to benefit several commuters who travel between these busy stations and ease the crowd at Dadar station.

In addition to extending certain train routes from Dadar to Parel, six trains that currently start or end at Thane will now operate until Kalyan. The new timetable has also changed the operation of fast train services. From 5 October, 20 fast locals, with 10 up and 10 down services, will operate from Dadar station instead of CSMT.