Hi everyone.
This is truely different review from my side. no analysis or attempts theroef from my side in this one. Just a tabulation of my experiences - positive as well as negatives at various points in time over the years.
SCENE No 1
Place: Bhopal
Train: Kamayani Express
From: Bhopal
To: Varanasi
Class: 2nd AC
Date: 23rd July 2000
I was waiting at the railway station at Bhopal to catch Kamayani Express since 9:30 pm at night{train time: 02:25}, as I had come from Indore to catch this train. Unfortunately, a bridge was broken between bhopal and itarsi, and the train was diverted from Itarsi.
Negative: No information was forthcoming regarding this, although this was known hours before-hand. I could have easily gone to Itarsi to catch the train. I came to know of this only at 1:00 am, when I myself inquired at the counter!
Positive: I went to the Dy SS Commercial, who assured me passage to Varanasi. The next train for Varanasi was from Itarsi{Pawan Express at 4:15 AM}. The Dy SS himself came to a train{Kerala Express, I think} and got me a seat till Itarsi. The conductor only asked me one question: Kamayani Passenger?.
At Itarsi, they had prior information of my arrival. I was received at the station and accompanied to Pawan Express, where the same experience was repeated: only one question asked: Kamayani Passenger? I was seen all the way to Varanasi as only befits a king
SCENE No 2A
Place: Gwalior
Train: Malwa Express
From Gwalior
To: Bhopal
Date: Circa 1997{experience of my uncle}
No positives in this.
Train time at Gwalior: 11:45 pm
inquiry at 11:20: 45 minutes late
Uncle says: Chalta hai. main station par hi intezat karunga. Itni late auto bhi nahi milega
time: 12:20
train: 1hours:30 min late
time 1: 00
train: 2:30 late
time: 2:00
train: 3:15 late
time: 3:00
train: 4:15 late
time: 5:00 am
scene: bell rings, I open door, uncle walks in. train 7:00 late.
SCENE No 2B
Place: Gwalior
Train: Chhattisgarh Express
From: Gwalior
To: Rajnandgaon
Date: 18th December 2007
Train Time: 11:45 AM
At 11:30, train is 3:15 late
I go home, return at 2:40
Train is 3:45 late.
At 3:30, train i3 4:15 late
At 4:00 train is 4:45 late
At 4:30 train is 5:15 late
At 5:00 train is 5:30 late
At 5:30 train is 6:00 late
At 6:00 train is 6:30 late
At 6:30 train is 7:00 late
At 7:00 train is 7:30 late
At 7:30, train comes.
Ten years, no change!
In both the above cases, better information management and sharing could have avoided the above scenario at least as far as customer discomfort is concerned. As far as lateness is concerned, that is a chronic case.
But the help in times of distress needs to be appreciated.
SCENE No 3A
Place: Gwalior
Reservation sought: Agra to Dimapur
date: Circa 1984
?
SCENE No 3B
Place: secure computer
date: 17th November, 2007
reservation sought: Rajnandgaon to Gwalior
At: Raipur
Done!
SCENE No 4
Place: Any train, Any place, Any time, Any Class
Scenario: you are hungry. you will get something to eat. I have found good, branded biscuits at Byohari{Singroli line} at 11:00 pm at night! What more can you ask for?
Yes, improvements are needed - a lot of improvement in a lot of areas. but things are much better than they were when we used to travel with Mom-Dad, and eatables were hard to come by!
The Railways are servicing one of the largest networks in world, and are doing a pretty fair job of it. What has happened is that our expectations have exploded over the past few years, and have out-stripped the rate of growth in the Railways’ quality parameters. Yes, there is tremendous scope for improvement especially in the area of technology upgradation. that is the critical area. But, they will require tremendous inputs in men and material, which is going to be hard to come by.
Just consider that the Railways in also shipping freight over long distances, and is the backbone of the nation in that area too, and you will get the enormity of the problem that is confronting them. Let us all appreciate them for a fantastic job, especially considering that they are unable to charge equitable rates, and need to cross-subsidize from freight transport!
The trains and platforms are generally very clean. it is we passengers who dirty them - remember those people who throw peanut shells on the train floors? Or those who spit paan in basins and toilets? Or those who throw water on the floor and out the windows? Or those who pilfer sheets? Or those who tear up seats? Or those who damage electrical points? Or those who needlessly pull chains? Or those who write on walls? Or those who spit on platforms? Or those who urinate on platforms? Or those who throw tea cups on platforms? Or those who bribe TCs? Or those who dont buy platform tickets? Or those who travel ticketless? Or those who trouble fellow passengers? Or those who pilfer spoons? Or those who dont pay the catering staff and walk off? Are these not examples of wastage? Pehla pathar wo maare jisne paap naa kiyaa ho, jo paapi na ho! All of us are responsible for some of these.
Yes, they need to improve. but first, let us improve ourselves in the above parameters. Are we as a people always on time? Do we never give bribes? Do we always follow the tips of cleanliness? Do we always spit in a spittoon? Are we really punctual? My 9.5 years proffessional experience has told me otherwise. I, myself am only now making a concerted effort to be punctual! I too give bribes. Let me first stop the above 2 points, then I shall start blaming the railways.
They are, after all, Indians, just like us
Just like you and me.