In a first in history and a pioneering move towards enhancing passenger comfort, Central Railway has introduced India’s first onboard ATM in the iconic Mumbai-Manmad Panchavati Express.
The first-of-its-kind initiative, commissioned under the association with the Bank of Maharashtra, is a major move in the direction of making India’s travel services more up to the times.
The ATM has been installed within an air-conditioned chair car coach of the daily express train. Placed at the back of the coach in a specially constructed cubicle, the area was previously used as an ad hoc pantry. The arrangement enables passengers to withdraw money while on the move, doing away with the fear of cash insufficiency on long-distance trips.
To ensure security and ease of use, the ATM cubicle is equipped with a shutter door. The coach modifications necessary to accommodate the ATM were carried out at the Manmad Railway Workshop. According to CR’s chief public relations officer, Swapnil Nila, this initiative is currently being run on an experimental basis and will be evaluated for future expansion.
The Panchavati Express, operating between Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Manmad Junction in Nashik district, is known for its punctuality and convenience, making it a popular choice among daily commuters and intercity travelers. The journey takes approximately 4 hours and 35 minutes one way.
In another travel-friendly initiative, the Central Railway has said that it will introduce 14 new air-conditioned suburban train services on its main line in Mumbai, increasing weekday AC services to 80 from 66 earlier. Although these new services will take the place of existing non-AC ones, the number of daily suburban services will stay at 1,810. This initiative will provide much-needed respite from the hot summer in Mumbai and enhance overall travelling comfort.
By seamlessly merging banking services with train travel, this innovation enables passengers to now enjoy the facility of cash withdrawals on the move. This innovative step not only sets a new benchmark for passenger services but also showcases Indian Railways’ commitment to transforming comfort, accessibility, and technology in train travel.
