Report of the Expert Group for Modernizaion of Indian Railways

These details are very good and lot of info on the performance and usage given

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard/uploads/directorate/stat_econ/pdf/IR_STATISTICAL_STATEMENTS_BI_2011_12/32.pdf

ANAND / GUJARAT 04/04/2013
MEMU train between Anand and Dakor started on experimental basisThe Vadodara railway division has started MEMU trains between milk city Anand and temple town Dakor in Kheda district for convenience of passengers in the twin districts of central Gujarat.
The MEMU trains between Anand-Dakor-Anand which have been started from Monday will be run on experimental basis till May 31 this year. Dakor is famous for its Ranchhodraiji temple.

This MEMU trains that include train numbers (09123/09124) and (09125/09126) will halt at five stations.

While train number 09123 will depart from Anand railway station at 7.15am everyday and reach Dakor at 8.10am via Sadnapura, Bhalej, Ode and Umreth railway stations, the same train as train number 09124 will depart from Dakor at 8.30am to reach Anand railway station at 9.35am.

Similarly, train number 09125 will depart from Anand at 4.45pm to reach Dakor at 5.40pm. It will return as train number 09126 as it will depart from Dakor railway station at 5.55pm to reach Anand railway station at 6.50pm.

http://www.railnews.co.in/?p=1343
 

Mumbai 09/04/2013
Railway Board declares Vasai-Diva as a suburban route
Railway Board has declared the Vasai-Diva section as part of the suburban section. The board passed its order last week and Central Railway gave its nod for facilities to be effective from Wednesday onwards. Consequently, passengers now can get return tickets on the section. According to the Railways, return tickets can only be availed on the suburban sections. Moreover, the declaration has cleared the deck to run local services on this corridor. Confirming the news, Mr.Sharad Ingle, Chief Commercial Manager, Central Railway said, “our department has made necessary adjustments to give return tickets and season tickets”. He added that CR was now looking for the installation of ATVMs and upgrading software for using smart cards. The Railway officials believe that the move will result in more trains running on this corridor henceforth.

http://www.railnews.co.in/?p=1426

So when will the SWR declares Bangalore - Bangarpet  as Suburban Segment???

So once Suburban section declared, commuters can avail Return Journey tickets, ATVMs will be provided.
 

Indian Railways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) to set up a Rs10bn ($184.7m) mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU) coach factory at Bhilwara in Rajasthan, India.

The coach factory is intended to meet the demand for faster local and suburban trains in the country.

Under the MoU, BHEL will bear the complete cost and will be responsible for the construction of the MEMU coach production facility.

Around 200 acres of land will be provided by the government of Rajasthan for the construction of the new plant, and the Ministry of Railways will give assured off-take orders to BHEL to make the project viable.

Following completion, the new MEMU manufacturing facility will be capable of producing 400 coaches per year.

http://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsindian-railways-bhel-sign-mou-to-establish-memu-coach-factory-in-rajasthan

Why GOK and IR sign MoU with BEML to supply MEMU / DEMU / EMU coaches for Bangalore & other towns of Karnataka

Good paper on EMU latest happenings :http://elocos.railnet.gov.in/Study_Material/IREE_PAPER_FINAL_PSEMU.pdf

This report was submitted in June 2012  On Railways :

8.6 Leasing of railway land : Page : 76

8.6.1 Suburban stations provide an excellent opportunity for management of the precious land resources of Railways in urban areas. A standard template can be developed for redesign and redevelopment of the stations that maximizes the comfort for commuters and create space for premium retail in station premises

9.9.2 Passenger:  Page 89

Conversion of all stopping passenger trains to EMUs/DMUs or railcars; invitation to state governments to manage uneconomic and unpatronized services

10.6 Urban Transport:  Page : 95

MRVC in Mumbai and MMTS in Hyderabad are two successful models for financial participation and cooperation with State Governments. Other states need to be engaged for similar initiatives. Viable cost sharing arrangements for both infrastructure and rolling stock investment and management of commuter operations need to be configured. It is envisaged that over the next 20 years IR‘s share of expenditure (@ 50%) in augmentation of urban networks would amount to Rs.3000 crore per annum or roughly Rs.60,000 crore. In addition, two elevated rail corridors using the existing right of way of railways in both Western and Central Railways in Mumbai (Churchgate-Virar and Mumbai VT to Karzat) costing approximately Rs.40,000 crore could be implemented through PPP along with Viability Gap Funding. Similar other projects in Mumbai and other cities will come up in future.It is estimated that an investment of the order of 2,00,000 crore would be required on this account.

  10.8 Rolling Stock: Page 96

Page 166 :

Russian Railway has 17 reginal suburban Rail services

http://www.cris.org.in/NTDPCWEB/Home/Report%20of%20Working%20Group%20on%20Railways_Submitted%20to%20the%20Govt%20on%20Aug%209th,%202012.pdf

This report has covered very well on the Subruban Transport and Role of Railways.