How to board the train in the late night, if the compartment doors closed ?
Folks, I have a serious problem that I faced couple of times already.
1. On a couple of occasions I had to travel from SLO station (AP) to Mumbai by Konark Express that comes at 1am to SLO - early hours and stops only for a minute or two.
On both occasions I booked 2nd A/C class tickets. To my horror, the doors of the 2nd A/C coaches were not opened. I had to get into some other compartment (with my heavy luggage as I travel to Mumbai and then take my international flight to London) and then struggle a lot to reach my 2nd A/C coach. On one occasion, the TTE had already 'sold away' my berth to another passenger as 'I did not show up' at the designated station (but he did not wait until the next station either!) and I was allowed to 'stay' in the A/C compartment since I have a ticket. On another occasion I could reach quickly, as A/C couches are not far from the one I got into.
Now, the bottom line is - how to deal with this? Note that as a traveler to overseas I will not have any time to deal with making complaints, though I did file written complaints on both occasions, but our thick skinned & strikingly corrupt system never replied. Once I was told by a TTE, it is common practice to close the reserved coach doors during the night time under the pretext of security and 'sell away' the tickets to wait listed passengers at a premium. SLO station is sitting duck as several trains arrive and leave during the night/ very early in the morning. Even if the passenger somehow is able to get into the coach the TTE gets so much annoyed as his might not be able to see the ticket away.
Now I have booked my next ticket in late night trains from SLO. Please let me know how I can safely get into the compartment? What I have to do if the compartment doors are closed? I do not want to miss my international flights, due to our corrupt railways.
I posted this last year, but no response.
Looking forward to hear on a good solution from you guys. more
1. On a couple of occasions I had to travel from SLO station (AP) to Mumbai by Konark Express that comes at 1am to SLO - early hours and stops only for a minute or two.
On both occasions I booked 2nd A/C class tickets. To my horror, the doors of the 2nd A/C coaches were not opened. I had to get into some other compartment (with my heavy luggage as I travel to Mumbai and then take my international flight to London) and then struggle a lot to reach my 2nd A/C coach. On one occasion, the TTE had already 'sold away' my berth to another passenger as 'I did not show up' at the designated station (but he did not wait until the next station either!) and I was allowed to 'stay' in the A/C compartment since I have a ticket. On another occasion I could reach quickly, as A/C couches are not far from the one I got into.
Now, the bottom line is - how to deal with this? Note that as a traveler to overseas I will not have any time to deal with making complaints, though I did file written complaints on both occasions, but our thick skinned & strikingly corrupt system never replied. Once I was told by a TTE, it is common practice to close the reserved coach doors during the night time under the pretext of security and 'sell away' the tickets to wait listed passengers at a premium. SLO station is sitting duck as several trains arrive and leave during the night/ very early in the morning. Even if the passenger somehow is able to get into the coach the TTE gets so much annoyed as his might not be able to see the ticket away.
Now I have booked my next ticket in late night trains from SLO. Please let me know how I can safely get into the compartment? What I have to do if the compartment doors are closed? I do not want to miss my international flights, due to our corrupt railways.
I posted this last year, but no response.
Looking forward to hear on a good solution from you guys. more
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Thanks for your comments - Mr. George sir, Mr. Bhat sir, Mr. Badgotia sir. I believe the suggestion of Mr. George on 'sending to news channels' seems workable, but it is really harsh action. I just want to bring this serious problem to the notice of the concerned. [not sure if railway officials really read or care these posts]. Then, I do not subscribe to the idea of pulling the chain - why? Because I firmly believe this problem of closing the doors and cheating the passenger is a well-managed scheme by TTEs and higher ups. So, if we pull the chain, then they [too many] can easily put the blame on the passenger [mostly single or a few persons], since act of pulling the chain has its own laws. I am not sure about those. .But Mr. George's comment may be the right solution to fix the nasty, corrupt people in the system?
Let us examine the issues here:
Within the train itself: (Train side Management): All of us, passengers want safety. For safety purposes doors of all the reserved compartments need to be closed during night time. However, TTEs or coach attendants need to look for arriving / joining passengers at all stations based on the chart. Or at least they should stand near the door to enquire or help or assist passengers who might have made last minute reservations and attempting to get in.
Within the station: (Station side Management):
I believe that usually there will be one or two on-duty constables will be there in every station. They must be asked observe this aspect - if doors are closed and any passenger(s) are in distress. This at least provides some kind of evidence. Again, I am not sure if this works, we all know the levels of corruption in general and its depths.
Now, I commend the views of Bhat sir and Badgotia sir - as those suggestions are more on the system side. Let us imagine, as per their suggestions - GM or someone high up / concerned take some appropriate action to fix this problem - such solution is more welcome. Especially I liked the idea of printing the phone number of the concerned on the ticket.
First of all, any of you really think that these posts on this forum are ever read by any railway official or any regulatory body? I do not think so. We just write here, and few people respond and - that is it. more
Let us examine the issues here:
Within the train itself: (Train side Management): All of us, passengers want safety. For safety purposes doors of all the reserved compartments need to be closed during night time. However, TTEs or coach attendants need to look for arriving / joining passengers at all stations based on the chart. Or at least they should stand near the door to enquire or help or assist passengers who might have made last minute reservations and attempting to get in.
Within the station: (Station side Management):
I believe that usually there will be one or two on-duty constables will be there in every station. They must be asked observe this aspect - if doors are closed and any passenger(s) are in distress. This at least provides some kind of evidence. Again, I am not sure if this works, we all know the levels of corruption in general and its depths.
Now, I commend the views of Bhat sir and Badgotia sir - as those suggestions are more on the system side. Let us imagine, as per their suggestions - GM or someone high up / concerned take some appropriate action to fix this problem - such solution is more welcome. Especially I liked the idea of printing the phone number of the concerned on the ticket.
First of all, any of you really think that these posts on this forum are ever read by any railway official or any regulatory body? I do not think so. We just write here, and few people respond and - that is it. more
Jun 28
I would suggest a copy of the complaint can also be raised on pgportal.gov.in. You should get reply on it. more
Jun 28
I commented earlier also that tte & attendants should be warned by GM of concerned railway & suspension provision be made in circular on receiving complain on phone. The authority taking action with phone no be printed on ticket more
Jun 28
I also faced the similar problem in night trains while boarding at Arakkonam. Not only AC coaches, even sleeper coaches are closed and locked. Train is stopping only for 2 minutes. How passengers will board the train. This is a serious issue. Railway board has to give instruction to TTE and AC coach attendants not to lock the doors. They are considered to be in duty while in train. They should not sleep. Railways should not allow them to sleep. Please look this seriously. more
Jun 28
