In a major step towards inclusive and comfortable travel, Central Railway on Thursday launched its first Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) rake with a specially renovated compartment for senior citizens to provide a safer and more convenient travel experience for elderly passengers on the Mumbai suburban network.
The upgraded compartment has been designed and modified by the Matunga Workshop of Central Railway, following recent directives from the Railway Board.
The team transformed a middle luggage compartment in the sixth coach into a dedicated space for senior citizens.
Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) at Central Railway said that this upgraded coach is a special gift to our senior citizen passengers and special arrangements have been made to assist elderly passengers in boarding and alighting safely. Inside the compartment, seating has been arranged for 13 to 15 passengers, according to him.
“Moreover, the compartment has been wrapped with live vinyl graphics to enhance the ambience and ensure a pleasant journey. This is the first such rake, and it will soon be available for public use,” Nila said.
Here are key features of the senior citizen compartment:
- Seating arrangement: The compartment includes three 3-seater benches and two 2-seater units with a total of 13 seats.
- Safety measures: Knurled vertical grab poles have been installed at doorway footboards along with emergency ladders under both doors, to support safe movement.
- Layout & visibility: Stainless steel tubular partitions have been added such as sight-level panels and integrated grab poles
- Aesthetic enhancements: The compartment’s interiors feature vinyl wrapping to create a more pleasant and visually appealing environment.
The first journey of this EMU rake featuring the senior citizen compartment commenced on Thursday (July 10) on the CSMT–Dombivli route train.
