CLEAN GETS A TICKET TO RIDE
A team of cleaners will now be deployed on board every train leaving Ahmedabad
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, April 09, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=201004092010040903421568662bcb306)
Dirt and garbage, which you find aplenty during your train journey, will now not travel with you. The Ahmedabad railway division is on track to introduce a unique system for keeping trains squeaky-clean. Under the planned arrangement, cleaners will be on board almost every major long-distance train that starts its journey from the Kalupur station to remove trash, wash toilets and other amenities periodically during the entire trip.
For smooth implementation of the system, the Ahmedabad railway division is taking detailed feedback from people who travel by the two aforesaid trains. “We have prepared a passenger satisfaction index comprising 18 questions related to cleanliness and other maintenance issues. Passengers are requested to answer the questions and rate the level of cleanliness in their coach,” Garud said.
Once the proposed arrangement is put into place, three cleaners will be assigned for each “reserved coach”. A ‘cleanliness supervisor’ will also be deployed to ensure that coaches are sweeped at regular intervals.
Currently, passengers find coaches trash-free only when at the start of their trip. As the journey progresses, garbage invariably piles up, causing a lot annoyance. People have to either plead to train attendants or pay beggars to clear the mess. Coaches of a train are cleaned when its halts a major station. However, this is not done consistently as cleaners, provided usually by private contractors, often shirk work.
Under the new system, contractors will be held accountable. They will be asked to get feedback from passengers. If a passenger expresses dissatisfaction, the contractor’s payment will be cut. For instance, if you find cleaners’ work only 60 per cent satisfactory, then their employer’s payment will be pared by 40 per cent.
“We are making efforts to make trains cleaner. However, it is up to travellers to show restrain and not litter,” Garud said.
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, April 09, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=201004092010040903421568662bcb306)
Dirt and garbage, which you find aplenty during your train journey, will now not travel with you. The Ahmedabad railway division is on track to introduce a unique system for keeping trains squeaky-clean. Under the planned arrangement, cleaners will be on board almost every major long-distance train that starts its journey from the Kalupur station to remove trash, wash toilets and other amenities periodically during the entire trip.The system, called onboard housekeeping system, is being tested in two trains: Sayajinagar Express and Kutch Express. It is a major departure from the existing practice wherein railway staff clean coaches of a train only once, before it leaves the station.
“Currently, we are trying out this arrangement in two trains. Cleaners stay on board during the entire journey. At regular intervals, they sweep coaches, pick up garbage and even clean toilets,” the divisional railway manager (Ahmedabad), Ashok Garud, told Mirror. “Within a few months, we will test the onboard housekeeping system in more trains.”For smooth implementation of the system, the Ahmedabad railway division is taking detailed feedback from people who travel by the two aforesaid trains. “We have prepared a passenger satisfaction index comprising 18 questions related to cleanliness and other maintenance issues. Passengers are requested to answer the questions and rate the level of cleanliness in their coach,” Garud said.
Once the proposed arrangement is put into place, three cleaners will be assigned for each “reserved coach”. A ‘cleanliness supervisor’ will also be deployed to ensure that coaches are sweeped at regular intervals.
Currently, passengers find coaches trash-free only when at the start of their trip. As the journey progresses, garbage invariably piles up, causing a lot annoyance. People have to either plead to train attendants or pay beggars to clear the mess. Coaches of a train are cleaned when its halts a major station. However, this is not done consistently as cleaners, provided usually by private contractors, often shirk work.
Under the new system, contractors will be held accountable. They will be asked to get feedback from passengers. If a passenger expresses dissatisfaction, the contractor’s payment will be cut. For instance, if you find cleaners’ work only 60 per cent satisfactory, then their employer’s payment will be pared by 40 per cent.
“We are making efforts to make trains cleaner. However, it is up to travellers to show restrain and not litter,” Garud said.
