30 Trains delayed on Western line

My friend Deepa called me early in the morning. It took her one hour to reach Andheri station from Borivli. Btw, one hour after boarding the train!

As always, nobody in the train knew why the train was taking ages to reach Andheri. What? Did you really expect the public announcement system to keep the commuters updated in such cases!

Anyways, so as for the reason, here it is - Technical Snag.

Don't ask me what it means. For us, it only means an unexplainable reason for train delays. Apparently, a technical snag developed in a train to Churchgate at Goregaon station. Then some trains were diverted on the fast track and blah blah...


Also, as expected, what the authorities claim about 97% punctuality of the trains after 4 pm is completely different from what the commuters have to say.

What can we say, ab toh aadat si hai mujhko aise jeene ki...

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Central Railway gets better than WR

I stayed in western suburbs until late 2008. And on rare occasions
when I had to travel on the central line, I used to find it a bit
uncomfortable. But now I realise that it was only due to the smaller
ladies first class compartments. Minus that, after travelling on the
central line for over an year now I must admit CR is far better! The
crowd in the trains, the regular addition of services and routes and
the improvements implemented are really commendable. Check out the TOI
today (June 14, 2010) and you would know what I mean. Every few
months, additinal train services are included in the transharbour line
and I'm only glad to keep updating the train timetables on this blog!
PS sorry for the recent delay in updating timetables, but I'm
travelling around India a lot these days. Will update asap.

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Mega block between Santa Cruz and Goregaon stations

Due to maintenance work, there will be a mega block today (Sunday, May 9) between Western Railway’s Santa Cruz and Goregaon stations from 10.35 am to 3.35 pm. So the local trains will run on the fast track between these stations. Of course, some trains will be canceled so it’s advisable to keep some buffer if you plan to commute by trains today.

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WR motormen, guards refuse to wear uniforms

Western Railway guards and motormen are refusing to wear uniforms. And if we think from their point of view, in a way it's justified. After all, when there are problems at stations due to train delays or rail roko, these motormen and the guards have to bear the brunt of the angry junta / protesters. In absence of railway authorities at the scene, the motormen and guards are easily identifiable and end up suffering even when they are not at fault.

Though there must be reasons why uniforms are necessary in certain professions, I think security of the personnel should be the priority. What do you think?

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Dadar to Virar fast local trains time table

Planning to board a Dadar local train to Virar? Here's the Dadar-Virar time table to help you out:

Please note: All the above trains are fast locals. The 1.56 pm train is a 15-coach train.

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Virar to Dadar 15-coach trains timetable

Here's the time table of the 15-coach fast trains from Virar / Vasai / Borivali to Andheri and Dadar:

Do you think these trains really make a difference since most of them are at non-peak hours?

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WR prepares for future flash strikes by motormen

Flash strikes seem to have become the 'in' thing with the motormen. I don't say that their demands are unreasonable. The motormen work with great responsibility on their shoulders and they deserve the best. However, protesting at the cost of commuters' convenience is something very uncalled for. C'mon, during peak hours we travel in Mumbai local trains as if we were in hell. Standing and balancing ourselves in overcrowded trains sometimes on one foot is not a joke.

All we focus on is ensuring that we don't fall off the train.

Flash strikes leave us in a place worse than hell. I'm glad that WR is taking steps to prevent us from being struck by strikes.

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Central and western railway prepare for 26th January motormen strike

LATEST STRIKE UPDATE, 25th January, 10:00 pm: The motormen strike has been called off!

25th January 2010: That the motormen of central and western line local trains will be going on strike on 26th January is confirmed. Now with just around 200 motormen working on the Republic Day, disruption of suburban train services and commuter inconvenience is obvious.

Aware of the way people / unions participating in the strike react when trains do not run as per schedule and given the fact that eventually the motormen at work face all the brunt, Central and Western railways are taking several precautionary steps.

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