Title - Passengers unhappy with fewer exits in ladies' coaches

MUMBAI: The women's compartment in the newly introduced alternate current (AC) rake has not found favour with commuters.

The modified prototype has fewer exit/entry doors and more seats in the women's compartment.

Western Railway (WR) has sought feedback over the new compartments after the new rakes were introduced in the last week of December 2012.

In the rakes, the position of the women's compartment adjacent to the motorman's cabin has been altered. The coach has been divided in to two for placing of electrical motors.

Moreover, the number of entry/exit points too have been reduced to two in new rakes, instead of three in conventional rakes. Many women commuters said fewer entry and exit points will make it difficult for them to board a train during peak hours.

"Women commuters have not liked the layout of new rakes. We will continue with conventionally designed rakes on our system in future," said WR general manager Mahesh Kumar.

WR has introduced three such rakes, which will be used till the time they find a replacement. "These rakes will be pressed into service only during non-peak hours," an official said. A large number of high-tension power equipment has been shifted to under frame

, this has led to opening up of more space in the compartment. Motor coaches have been shifted to adjacent compartments while the luggage compartment is shifted by couple of meters.

Moreover, electrical fittings bifurcate the ladies coach in two separate sections.

The new AC rakes, manufactured at Integral Coach Factory in Chennai have 6% more carrying capacity compared to existing ones. The total seating capacity has increased to 1,242 from 1,174. Of these 11 are for second class ladies and 57 has been allocated to second class general compartment."