Coffee machines, CCTV cameras and more: New AC-III coaches get a makeover

The new coaches will be deployed from mid-November in Hamsafar service

A coffee and tea vending machine, CCTV cameras on the aisles and vibrant signature colour scheme will adorn the AC-III tier coaches waiting to be rolled out mid November, reported Indian Express.

Other new key features include-

1.  A GPS-based passenger information system above each door, a fire-and-smoke detector, and automatic room-freshener dispensers.

2. An airline-like light bar with numbers indicating upper, lower and middle berths, which will replace the stencilled numbering on the walls.

3. Gel coating in the toilet walls to make them “graffiti proof”.

4. Curtains for side berths as well as in the aisles, which are currently available in higher classes only.

Earlier Indian Railways introduced water ATMs at stations. Known as Water Point, it is a huge machine installed at the stations from which people can collect water for Rs 1 to Rs 5.

This new coach will be deployed on all-AC-III tier Humsafar service, which is tentatively scheduled to start operating between Delhi and Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. 

Last year Indian Railways invited major chains such as KFC to sign up to its e-catering service, which allows passengers to pre-order online or by phone for delivery at major stations. And today, train passengers have access to a vast array of hot dishes, all at the click of a smartphone app. The next step will be to set up "base kitchens" in major stations to allow companies to prepare freshly cooked food for delivery on the trains.

The government also announced a US$137bil (RM578bil) five-year modernisation plan that includes introducing free WiFi in some stations in partnership with Google.Google says the service will cover 100 stations by the end of this year, with an eventual target of 400.