Refurbished MMTS rake rolled out for passenger use

Hyderabad, Jan 26 : South Central Railway General Manager PK Srivastava has recently travelled in an MMTS train to assess the facilities being provided to the travellers. Based on his interaction with the commuters, and in tune with its emphasis on providing modern facilities and qualitative services to the rail users, South Central Railway has upgraded one 9-car MMTS rake (one train composition) with improved and new features. This rake, which has been refurbished as per the directions of the General Manager, has been inducted into service for passenger use on a trail basis from on Sunday on the momentous occasion of 65th Republic Day celebrations.

This passenger-friendly MMTS rake sports a new look , featuring a host of additional / new amenities for enhanced travel experience for MMTS commuters in the twin cities.

These newly added/improved features include improved passenger information system with repositioned GPS based LED display boards inside the coaches. These boards, which display the approaching station and destination etc., were earlier situated at both ends of the coaches. It restricted visibility to the passengers stationed in the middle. These boards are now positioned in the middle of the MMTS coach for better visibility to all the passengers inside.

Provision of LED display boards on either side of all the coaches of the MMTS rake. Earlier, only 3 coaches in a rake sported these boards. Now, these are extended to all the 9 coaches in a rake making it easy for the passengers on the platform to identify the destination station. Distinctive pink paint band for Ladies coaches of the MMTS rake to ensure easy identification. Earlier, all the 9 coaches in a train were painted in blue band, which does not differentiate the ladies coach. With a new pink painted band on outside, all the three ladies coaches on this rake look distinctive and the lady passengers can easily identify the location of these coaches even from a distance. Significant improvement in exterior paint of the coaches. All the coaches are painted anew with bright and qualitative colours, which added a dash of vibrancy to the coaches, beautifying the look of the train

Enhanced quality of cushioned seats in the Ist Class compartments of the MMTS rake. Earlier, all the seats were provided with almost the same degree of cushion. As the fare is higher for the 1st class coaches, these are now provided with new seats with improved cushion to afford a higher level of comfort.

Higher sweep (450 mm) fans mounted in Ist Class compartments to ensure enhanced ambient air circulation. Earlier, all the fans in a rake were of uniform sweep, of 400 mm. Four mirrors have been provided in each of the Ladies coaches. Interiors of the Ladies coaches have been furnished with ‘Welcome’ photographs and also with photographs of eminent Indian lady personalities to provide a pleasing look. Improved quality of the audio announcements. The output quality of the audio announcements being made inside the coaches about the station names etc.. from the driver’s cab has been enhanced. Earlier, the audibility was found to be not sufficient.

This refurbishment constitutes the first major exercise done locally on SCR at the EMU Carshed, Moula-Ali, Hyderabad Division, aimed at tangible improvements in the coaches since their receipt from their manufacturer, the Integral Coach Factory, Perambur. The above measures not only add to the looks and aesthetics of the coaches, but also provide new/improved facilities to the passengers with towards making the travel on MMTS a comfortable experience

In addition to the enhanced features meant for rail commuters, this refurbished MMTS rake also incorporates several inputs to facilitate Crew comfort (Motormen piloting the rake). For better and safe operations, sun visors have been provided in driving cabs to prevent sun-glare from hampering the visibility of the crew. Besides, the speedometers have also been relocated to a more convenient and visible position in the motor cab. INN