Most commuters in the city find it convenient traveling by MMTS (Multi- Modal Transport System) to their workplaces, primarily because it means avoiding bottlenecks at every traffic junction.
There are a lot of takers for first class traveling but there are 25-odd seats in a first class compartment. During peak hours, the trains are usually jam-packed.
For comfort seekers, the first class compartment comes as a refuge but with a price. A general ticket for the shortest distance costs about Rs 2 whereas the first class for the same distance costs about Rs 40. “It’s expensive but at least I get a seat or some space to stand,” says Vijay, a first class pass holder. A monthly pass (minimum distance) for a general ticket costs Rs 100, while a first class costs Rs 380.
But the rush is such that commuters with general tickets get on b oard the first class compartment, much to the dismay of the first class passengers, “I have paid extra for the comfort and if I am not getting it, why should I pay extra for it?” says an irritated Bishwaksen, who commutes daily from Sitaphalmandi to Begumpet.
Interestingly, most of these intruders into the first class coaches are railway employees.
“Not all Railway employees will have the pass to travel in a first class compartment,” continues Bishwaksen. “ Most of the seats are occupied by the railway employees. I am not sure if they have the valid pass to travel first class,” says Souroshankha, a Business Associate in an IT firm who travels by MMTS (FL4) everyday.
For many commuters, traveling long distances, MMTS is the most viable option. It not only saves petrol money but also keeps you away from the regular traffic jams.
“Though I get a cab from the office, I prefer MMTS as I reach office faster. The cab takes longer time because of the traffic, and who wants to get stuck in traffic in the early morning hours,” says Swetha, who travels from Begumpet to HiTec City by MMTS everyday.
Sharing his horrid experience, Souroshankha says he was nearly thrown off the train when he approached the ticket collector to request him to check all the passengers in the compartment including the railway employees present there. “Whenever the TC comes he just checks the other passengers, the railway employees pat on the shirt pocket revealing that they are railway employees.
The TC lets them go,” adds Souroshanka.
“It’s unfortunate that such a thing happened but only the TC has the right to check the tickets,” says FR Michael, Senior PRO, South Central Railway reacting to the incident.
“The railway employees are given residential card pass. Depending on their designation and scale of pay, they can travel in either the general or first class from the their residence to their place of work. Each of them uses the residential card for traveling in various local trains,” informs Federick.
More than 1.40 lakh passengers use the service daily. A total of 101 services are run throughout the day. One must agree that the onus of ensuring the comfort of first class passengers ultimately lies on the MMTS authorities.
After all, as the commuters fume unanimously, that it’s the passengers who dole out the fares and not the railway officers.
