May 20, 2009 10:52 AM
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Thought it's high time to show my real financial status during this recession hit period, so I opted to book tickets in Garib Rath;)
My travel plan was finalized in the month of February for the travel in the month of May, so I had ample time for purchasing the tickets. For the travel date of 02nd May, I booked my ticket on 03rd February and when I went to check for the ticket availability on 07th February the Train was running in Waiting List. As the train's frequency is weekly once the tickets sells like hot cake. From Chennai to Delhi the train starts @ Chennai on Saturday morning 6 AM and from Delhi the train starts on Monday evening 4 PM every week. The train's running time is near to 28 hours. As my planning was very good as per IRCTC's 90 days target, I got seats without any problem. The ticket charge comes near to Rs. 900/- for the IIIrd AC.
Seating/Berth
I was scared by many of my friends that Garib Rath has got only seating facility and there are no sleeper berths in IIIrd AC. To add fuel to the fire, when I entered the station to board the train, I saw boogies with Seats, I felt like I have been bullied by IRCTC, then I found that Garib Rath runs with Chair Car & with AC Sleepers, so don't worry about this. Make your selection cautiously while booking tickets for IIIrd AC or AC Chair Car in Garib Rath.
Speed
The speed is too good; there is a display system in every boogie, which shows the following:
1) Speed of the train
2) Next station information
3) Distance to the next station
4) General Train & Security information
I saw the train touching 130 KMPH once; however this train is not able to retain its speed due to the day time running factor.
*Bed Spread
Bed Spread with Rajaie+ Bed Sheet+ Pillow is available for a nominal fee of Rs. 25/- as this is a no frill train, free bed spread is not given by Indian Railways. So, be prepared for either shelling out Rs. 25/- or to carry a bed sheet and air pillow.
*Pantry
To reduce operating cost, the train doesn't have a Pantry Car, however Pantry guys are available, who takes order from passengers and get the order from next station to supply. Don't expect the frequent sounds "Chai" "Coffee" "Samosa", "Vada", "Biriyani Garam", "Tanda Drinks", "Paani Botthle" etc.,
Cleanliness
The crowd and cleanliness are directly related. Even though every toilet is kept clean at regular intervals, usage does matter, many of the passengers, doesn't know how to use the toilet; this is one of the major problems, due to which toilet cleanliness is affected. To add more discomfort the train's water capacity is less, From Chennai and From Delhi both the ways, the train ran out of water in the wash rooms. To fill the water, the train requires big junctions like Nagpur, Vijayawada etc., Unlike in other IIIrd AC trains I haven't found any Cockroaches in this train luckily. The dustbin near to the washbasin has got less capacity, so one can witness waste overflow no sooner the train starts from the station.
Summary
Overall the train is a boon for Indian Rail Passengers, the frequency should be increased, so that more passengers get benefitted by such Garib Rath's. Even though here and there few management issues are there with the operational factor of Garib Rath, overall its delivering value for money.
