Bombardier seating arrangements to be inducted in new local trains

The positive response of the commuters regarding the Bombardier seating arrangements has led the Indian Railways to induct the seating arrangements in the new Siemens rake on Central Railway.

The first brand new Siemens local train which arrived in the Kurla car shed in January this year has been equipped with the latest seating arrangements that are available on the Bombardier local trains.

Afternoon D&C; visited the Kurla car shed and viewed the new Siemens rake which arrived from ICF Chennai. The seating arrangements in the first class compartments of the new rakes consist of sponge which is similar to the ones which are currently present in the operational Siemens local trains. All the other compartments have the Bombardier seating arrangements.

The MRVC had conducted a study on the Bombardier local train which had arrived in the city last year. The study included the passengers' response on every aspect of the rake including the grab pole and the seating arrangements. While commuters complained about the grab pole in the Bombardier local trains, the seating arrangements were appreciated as they had enough legroom space.

An MRVC official said, "The commuters preferred the seats of the Bombardier local trains over the normal cushion seating as it had better legroom and were considered more comfortable. We had in our study immediately stated the preference and it has been inducted in the latest Siemens local trains."

The Central Railway will be receiving two more brand new Siemens rakes from ICF Chennai by March which will be inducted in the main line from April. One of the new local trains will be inducted on the Trans Harbour route. One local train churns out six services within a day.