Thu Nov 21 15:27:44 UTC 2024: ## Southern Railway Boosts Seating Capacity with LHB Coach Upgrade
**Madurai, November 21, 2024** – The Southern Railway has significantly increased seating capacity for unreserved passengers by standardizing 24 train pairs with Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) rakes. Each upgraded rake now features four general class coaches, adding a total of 7,900 seats. This initiative is part of a broader plan to add 1,000 new general coaches to 370 trains across the Southern Railway network by the end of November, easing daily commutes for over one lakh passengers.
The upgrade also includes accessibility improvements. One power car in each LHB rake has been replaced with a second-class luggage coach designed for passengers with disabilities. The Southern Railway plans to upgrade a further 27 train pairs by year-end, adding another 5,600 unreserved seats.
The LHB coaches are lauded for their enhanced safety features and improved passenger comfort. Several trains serving southern districts have already received the upgrade, including the Dr. MGR Chennai Central – Bodinayakkanur Express, Kanniyakumari – Howrah – Kanniyakumari Express, Pearl City Express, Tirunelveli – Bilaspur Express, and Sampark Kranti Express. However, some trains, such as the Nellai Express, Vaigai Express, Pandian Express, and Tirunelveli-Dadar Express, currently retain three unreserved coaches.
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