By Elton Gomes
India’s public transport system is currently cowering under the burden of providing adequate service to the country’s steadily escalating population. The recent rise in the country’s working population has only served to increase this burden, and has led to many voicing their concerns over the public transportation system’s increasingly ineffectiveness. The average Indian commuter cannot be dependent on taxis and rickshaws for long journeys, and is therefore compelled to travel in overcrowded trains and buses.
While commuting by long-distance trains, the problem seems to be unwashed bed sheets, pillow covers, and blankets. The Indian Railways has also been dealing with poor quality food, which has been a long-term issue. Passengers and the Indian Railways alike have been severely inconvenienced by rodents on trains.
Given the current state of the railways, one wonders what government bodies like the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) are doing to improve Indians’s commuting experience?
Here’s what happened
Buses
In an effort to reinstate commuters’s faith in public transport, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) soon plans to introduce non-AC sleeper buses. State Transport Minister Diwakar Raote claimed that non-AC sleeper buses are a necessity, as they can help provide a more comfortable travel experience, especially for passengers heading to destinations that would require overnight travel.
Raote told PTI: “The state had launched more AC buses as well but the ticket price is an issue.” To overcome this issue, the MSRTC has planned on introducing non-AC sleeper coaches. The move comes after the MSRTC rolled out its first ever AC sleeper bus on January 21, 2018.
According to the Times of India, the AC sleeper coaches have a capacity of accomodating 30 passengers. Facilities such as Wi-Fi, GPS, two CCTV cameras, and an SOS button were also made available to passengers. Although the bus routes are yet to be finalised, officials claimed that the new buses will run on routes that require overnight travel.
How do the AC buses compare with other private luxury buses? Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told Hindustan Times: “The buses will fulfil the common man’s dream of a comfortable journey and make travel cheaper, compared to private luxury buses.”
In addition to introducing AC and non-AC coaches, the MSRTC also introduced Shivshahi buses in 2017. These buses are also were air-conditioned, but contain recliner seats. The Free Press Journal reported that at least 2,000 of these buses would be operating across Maharashtra by the end of December 2017.
In February 2018, the Nashik division of the MSRTC announced that it will be getting 20 more Shivshahi buses. Yamini Joshi, the divisional controller from the Nashik division told the Times of India that Shivshahi buses were in demand, adding that many people opted to travel on the recently launched buses.
Trains
In March 2018, the IRCTC introduced private luxury saloons that came replete with fully air-conditioned rooms, valet service, and an attached bathroom.
“This will be an all inclusive tour where the guests will be offered all the comfort of a hotel. Exclusive staff will be available for services on board. Railway also provides one AC attendant and one saloon attendant for ensuring hassle free travel,” the IRCTC said, the Financial Express reported.
Although private saloons were previously only available to railway officials, now even the local public can travel in these saloons in style. The IRCTC’s luxury saloons began offering special tours to passengers on March 31.
Each of the saloons or inspection cars consist of two bedrooms, a lounge, a bathroom, a pantry, and a kitchen. The saloons are designed to make a journey of several days as comfortable as possible, and each saloon can accommodate two families, according to a report by the Indian Express. The IRCTC stated that the cost of hiring these luxury saloons is Rs 2 lakh.
Aside from the luxury saloons, the IRCTC has also launched the Tejas Express, which is India’s first semi-high speed full air-conditioned train. The Tejas Express has several facilities like on-board LED televisions, and tea/coffee vending machines.
Fares for the Tejas Express range anywhere between Rs 835 to Rs 2,340. The train also comes equipped with CCTV cameras, and a smoke and fire detection system. In addition, it has bio-vacuum toilets, and aGPS-based passenger information display system, the Hindustan Times reported.
A second rake of the Tejas Express is scheduled to launch on April 20, as per media reports.
Ferry services?
Apart from land-based transportation, the Maharashtra government has also been mulling over proposals of potential ferry services for commuters. A ferry service had been projected between Borivali and Nariman Point, as reported by the Times of India. The Maharashtra Maritime Board reportedly received a proposal from Star Ferries, which proposed running a ferry every half hour, from both Borivali and Nariman Point.
However, so far, there have been no official comments about the project.
Why you should care
Although the government appears to be serious about improving the nature of public transport, to reduce overcrowding on public transport, projects like the ferry service should be prioritised. Moreover, important routes should be identified and connected through rail, road, or by employing a Metro line.
Properly implemented upgrades to the current public transportation system can not only help alleviate the overcrowding issue; it may also go a long way in helping commuters live a more healthy life.
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