[Resolved]  Western Railway Local Trains — Ladies Frist Calss Compartments

Dear Sir,

We the Ladies traveling on Local Trains of Western Railway Mumbai have repeated complained the following grievances to the Station Master / DGM, Churchgate :

1. The Ladies First class compartments need to be increased - at least one more to be added. It should be the same number as Gents First class compartments in 9 coach trains as well as 12 coach trains. Please note that the ratio of Lady commuters to Gents commuters is 3:5 on Western Railway while on Central Railway it is still less than 1:5.

2. Even though the First Class fare is 4 times the second class fare the upgrade amenities provided are negligible. Since the first class compartments provided are few and small while the number of the ladies traveling in first class is quite large the travel is hence, uncomfortable as the compartments are jam packed without proper breathing and moving space.

3. the Ladies second class compartment is adjacent to the Ladies first class compartment which thus confuses most second class passengers who get into the first class compartment increasing the number of ladies and crowding the compartment which could be avoided had the two compartments been placed away from one another.

4. All the local trains on Central Railway are new while just a few trains on Western Railway are new. Why this discrimination as the number of commuters on Local trains of Western Railway are larger than that on the Central Railways.

5. The Trains are dirty, in fact never cleaned. Presently the few new trains of the Wester Railways too are dirty - there are cobwebs on the ceiling as well as the fans are filled with dust. Its only when the train leaks or if the windows cannot be shut during the monsoons then trains are automatically cleaned by the incoming rainwater. This is a sad state of affairs when cleanliness is considered as most often the First Class compartments are so dirty that we have to miss the specific train - which inconveniences us to a very large extent.

6.The First class Ladies Compartments are in different boogies or coaches in 9 Coach and 12 Coach trains which cause a lot of inconvenience to the Lady commuters. Why can this not be located in the same coach irrespective whether its a 9 coach or 12 coach train?

7.There are rarely Lady TC's in Ladies First class compartments to check the passengers which would thus reduce the number of Ladies with Second Class tickets/pass traveling in the First class compartments. Also the ones that come in to check do not come during peak hours. Even when they catch a second class passenger they let them go free when given the excuse of ignorance or that they got into the first class by mistake.

8.Lots of Students holding second class concessional or free passes often travel by first class and if caught by TC's are allowed to go free without fine or detention. Don't you agree that the children of today who are the future of tomorrow need to be taught to be honest?

9. Most Railway employees who are not from the officer category and thus not eligible to travel by first class regularly travel by first class and if checked by TC show ID and say Staff and get away. You will be surprised to note that most of them are seated in the compartment while genuine passengers like us have to stand through our journey to and fro our work places. It is also irritating to note that these Railway Employees bring with them their relatives too who travel without a proper ticket in the First Class.

10. The announcements made on the platforms are not clear and very often made too late.