Train travel has always been a great experience for Indians. I have been moving around in trains lately.
Chennai train network looks like this.
With the Chennai Metro coming along, Chennai Rail is going to get a much needed boost. The MRTS, has been a huge letdown compared the investment.
Why is MRTS a failure?
MRTS connects parts of Chennai where people work, but not where people stay.
What should we look at?
Middle-class families should also use rails. Money moves. When i travel today, i do not see the middles class at all. Most of them prefer two-wheelers, buses and autos.
What else?
People use trains even if they are packed, smelly and uncomfortable. You can reach on time. Its all about giving them that much comfort with tickets, subways, coffee, timings and connectivity.
For the COMPLETE LOCAL CHENNAI TRAIN TIMINGS.
This site from Southern Railways is the Resnick and Halliday, Hal Varian and B.L.Thareja of train timings in Chennai. Complete list. Go to surfonline. Download the entire site upto 3 backtracks.
Chennai train service accept RAIL CARDS which cost you 100Rs. This allows you to use the vending machines for tickets which saves you time with those big queues. You can buy top-up packs from the counters when you return.
Where am i getting with this? Check planemad. Chennai should never become a Bangalore. I think a good database of existing resources of local travel will save time, money and effort.
- Integrate Chennai rail, Chennai bus and Chennai Share-Auto in one internet portal with AC coaches, AC Buses and AC Share autos.
- Combined passes for all three with TV advertising in their FSI, which is already there at Central stations.
- Share Purchases, Procurements and Advertising revenues proportionately.
- Tap on working professionals to use Local service instead of catching the 7.30 office bus which people hate to take. Corporate contracts can be made.
- Provide this facility to College students and school students at subsidized rates which gives the government all the praise.
- Work with Mobile SMS and E-mail alerts for timings and logistics.(I have seen Southern railways at work, they are capable of this. With the money they have, they can outsource. This is an amazing organization inspite of the bureaucracy in it.)
- Auto-rickshaws are ‘lobbying’ against share-autos which are much cheaper and better for citizens. Share-autos will be the ultimate tool for connectivity. Also, the best way to take our revenge against the famed ‘autorickshaws’ of Chennai.
- Parking lots near all stations for two-wheelers including cycles.
- Increase ROAD TAX for Cars.
- More of the newly designed coaches which have more standing space in them.
Share Auto routes.
T.Nagar - Nungambakkam – Loyola – Nelson Manikkam Road – Anna Arch – Blue Star – Thirumangalam (25 Rs)
Chennai Beach – Tollgate. ( 5 Rs )
Sripermabdur – TVS Delphi (10 Rs)
(If you happen to know more routes, please let me know)
Most people are looking for cost-cutting. With a little bit of planning you can do that. Using a combination of the 3 services you can move around quite easily. Especially for college students without job and people looking to save time driving, this is a good option.But, its important that you share the knowledge you have on any of these transportation system.
How?
Take pictures with your mobile phone about the timings and put them online in Wiki. Blog about the connectivity and logistics. Nearest landmark etc.
Make your boring journey into knowledge sharing experience.I just wish the government was reading my blog.
Filed under: Uncategorized , Chennai, Local Travel, Metro, MRTS, Shareautos, Suburban, timings, trains, Transport, Wiki
