This review should actually belong to the ’’rail travel tips’’ category but since there is no such category, I’m forced to put it here, because a ticket for the journey is one of the ten important things required while travelling. If you were looking for a list of ten, please read no further, because this piece doesn’t contain a list. I’ll try to move this review to the appropriate category as soon as it is created.
Well, we have all been through the hassle of railway reservations - haven’t we? Getting in the line at the ’’computerised’’ counters, waiting for an hour and then coming to know that it’s lunch time, or closing time, or there’s no seats left for booking.
And we blame the government’s inefficient system for this.
However, have you made a trip to the Rail reservation office at BDA, Koramangala in Bangalore? You’ll be in for a surprise if you go there.
No, it’s not been lent out to a private ticketing agency on a trial basis, this reservation office still works under the same aegis as all the others. But booking a ticket from here will be an enjoyable and pleasant experience.
Firstly, you don’t have to stand in a queue. Note that I said stand. There is still a queue, but they are in the form of seats. And no they are not seats replacing individual queues for each counter, but a bunch of seats, for 4-5 counters. When your turn comes, you go to the counter that’s empty at that point of time. That way you don’t have the opportunity to crib that the other lines are moving faster than yours! Basically it’s just a single line.
Also there is no jostling, shouting, one upping to get to the front. Anybody who tries to move up is caught easily.
If you want to make an inquiry, there is a touch screen. ( Although the last time I went it wasn’t working). There are a lot of calendars everywhere, so you can check out the days and dates. Train timings, train numbers, special trains - all this information is available in the form of charts. In fact the reservation office looks like a school project work exhibition with so many charts.
Because there’s none of the usual jostling in front of them, ( only one person can stand in front of the counter at a time, all the others are sitting. Add to that, if one counter person wants to relax a bit, the traffic automatically goes to the other counters), the staff is less harassed and therefore more helpful, and polite.
Once you are at the counter, you can take your time to decide which train, date, and class to take. Nobody is in a hurry to send you off. However for others’ convenience it’s recommended that the time spent at the counter should be as low as possible.
Apart from that, if you don’t have change, you can go and get if from downstairs, and get back your ticket. Nobody will tell you not to ’’break the line’’ while all you are trying to do is get your change and ticket back.
Overall, it’s a very aesthetic experience compared to what goes on in other reservation counters.
What I do miss even in this reservation office is the ability to keep track of reservation status while you’re sitting there waiting for your turn. Maybe an electronic board will do the trick.
Of course the service levels are nowhere near the levels of private vendors ( nor do the railways fleece you like them) but overall the Koramangala reservation office in Bangalore makes your experience a pleasurable one.
The credit should go to the reservation office employees - especially for the plants and interior decorations, this system has been developed out of their own initiatives primarily for their own convenience, and has resulted in benefits to all.
Opinions invited.