Regular commuters on Central Railway’s air-conditioned (AC) locals are losing patience over daily delays, overcrowding, and lack of ticket checking. Frustrated passengers, many of whom have formed WhatsApp groups to share grievances, say they pay premium fares but get “the same chaos as regular trains.”

Despite paying for monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly passes, passengers claim they are often forced to stand during peak hours. Many allege that unauthorised railway staff and ticketless travellers occupy seats, while ticket checkers and RPF patrols are rarely seen.