India, Jan. 2 -- The new year has brought good news for commuters on the Western Railway (WR). Starting January 1, the punctuality of 45 long-distance trains originating or passing through Mumbai will improve by 2 minutes to 11 minutes due to a change in timings. Also, 28 trains will speed up, saving a collective 157 minutes.

Moreover, starting January 3, a direct shuttle train connecting Virar and Surat will be introduced. Until now, the service ran as two separate services with a break in journey at Dahanu. These measures come at a time when the sixth rail line between Kandivali-Borivali will be ready by mid-January, which will enable segregation of long-distance and suburban trains between Bandra Terminus and Borivali.

WR officials s...