As per records, more than 25% passengers in suburban trains are female passengers.There has been constant demand from ladies to increase the number of coaches from the existing 2 coaches.
As per the proportionate female percentage of 25%, it is transforms to 3 coaches in a 12 coach EMU. Accordingly half portion of the 3rd coach from the either ends have been converted from general coach to ladies coach. Thereby there has been an increase of one coach.
Last year Sealdah Division has enhanced the capacity of all suburban trains from 9 coach to 12 coach which has increased the capacity even for general passengers.
Nearly 900 services daily are running with 12 coach EMUs. After the conversion, 3 are earmarked for ladies and balance 9 for general passengers. From the earlier 2 for ladies and 7 for general passengers.
It has been observed that because of earlier only one coach on both end of the trains being reserved for ladies, the ladies were taking time to board and deboard which was endangering their safety during boarding and deboarding as well as affecting operations and punctuality of the suburban trains.
