Railways exercise ‘berth control’
Indian Railways to drop extra berth on long-distance trains from July 13 after numerous complaints about cramped space, seating confusion
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, June 20, 2009 (Ahmedbad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=200906202009062002510040123240bc2)
Have you cursed the railway authorities for adding that extra berth, leaving you in a space jam? Bumped your head trying to manoeuvre yourself onto that narrow berth sandwiched between two side-berths on your train?
Your misery will end soon. Facing fire for the immense discomfort it has cause passengers, the Indian Railways has decided to remove the controversial ‘extra berth’ it had introduced in sleeper and AC coaches of long distance trains last year.
The Railway Board recently issued a circular announcing the phased removal of all extra berths installed in trains across the country from July 13. Passengers will no longer be allotted these uncomfortable ‘sandwiched berths’.
The old coaches had six berths on one side of the partition and two on the other, but the new ones had six berths on one side and three on the other, leaving passengers jostling for space.
In addition to this, passengers found they had also missed their preference of berths when the seats were re-allotted as per the numbers on the chart. Passengers who got lower berths as per the ticket had to contend with either a middle berth or an upper berth.
The decision was made following the result of an online poll that sought passengers’ opinions on leg space, space for movement, sitting space, sleeping space, assessment of coach and comfort factor after the introduction of the third side-berth.
Most of the passengers gave negative feedback on the move, complaining about the lack of space and confusion over seat numbers, sources said. “I felt cheated the last time I travelled in Thiruvanthapuram-Bikaner Express. Instead of eight berths in a partition, there were nine (seven on one side and three on the other) ! I literally had to squeeze in to make space for one more person. And they had not even reduced the fare, considering the inconvenience it caused,” Arunya Pillai, a central government employee, told Mirror.
“Frankly, I do not care about the discount. All I want is that they do away with that arrangement and continue with the existing fare. It is so uncomfortable for senior citizens like me,” said Anandi Thulasidharan, a resident of Ashoknagar Society in Satellite.
The modified coaches fetched 13 per cent additional revenue to the Railways, sources said.
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, June 20, 2009 (Ahmedbad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=200906202009062002510040123240bc2)
Have you cursed the railway authorities for adding that extra berth, leaving you in a space jam? Bumped your head trying to manoeuvre yourself onto that narrow berth sandwiched between two side-berths on your train?
Your misery will end soon. Facing fire for the immense discomfort it has cause passengers, the Indian Railways has decided to remove the controversial ‘extra berth’ it had introduced in sleeper and AC coaches of long distance trains last year.
The Railway Board recently issued a circular announcing the phased removal of all extra berths installed in trains across the country from July 13. Passengers will no longer be allotted these uncomfortable ‘sandwiched berths’.
The old coaches had six berths on one side of the partition and two on the other, but the new ones had six berths on one side and three on the other, leaving passengers jostling for space.
In addition to this, passengers found they had also missed their preference of berths when the seats were re-allotted as per the numbers on the chart. Passengers who got lower berths as per the ticket had to contend with either a middle berth or an upper berth.
The decision was made following the result of an online poll that sought passengers’ opinions on leg space, space for movement, sitting space, sleeping space, assessment of coach and comfort factor after the introduction of the third side-berth.
Most of the passengers gave negative feedback on the move, complaining about the lack of space and confusion over seat numbers, sources said. “I felt cheated the last time I travelled in Thiruvanthapuram-Bikaner Express. Instead of eight berths in a partition, there were nine (seven on one side and three on the other) ! I literally had to squeeze in to make space for one more person. And they had not even reduced the fare, considering the inconvenience it caused,” Arunya Pillai, a central government employee, told Mirror.
“Frankly, I do not care about the discount. All I want is that they do away with that arrangement and continue with the existing fare. It is so uncomfortable for senior citizens like me,” said Anandi Thulasidharan, a resident of Ashoknagar Society in Satellite.
The modified coaches fetched 13 per cent additional revenue to the Railways, sources said.
