Mumbai is one of the exuberant cities of India filled with life and a travel destination on every traveler’s list. The best way to explore the city is through the Mumbai local train. It is a well-connected and efficient mode of transport to escape traffic and save time.
Mumbai local train journey has a subtle way of teaching basic life lessons.
Mumbai is known for the attitude of its citizens, viz; discipline, punctuality, orderliness, etc. Nobody likes to be termed “odd man out”. Several railway junctions are connecting the three arterial rail lines- Central, Western, and Harbour lines.
(source: Mumbai local train map https://erail.in/info/railway-maps-mumbai-local/1801)
Punctuality:
Even though there are trains every 3-5 minutes during peak office hours, still, one cannot afford to miss the train at 08:22 to reach for work on time at 09:30 hours. Especially when travel involves a change of route or train, an initial delay by a minute may cause a resultant delay of up to 30minutes. Moreover, on average, a Mumbaikar’s travels time extends to more than a couple of hours per day. It is wise to save each minute and spend it with family or on self.
Budget travel:
Local trains are considered to be the lifeline of the city, it reduces travel time drastically and is also budget-friendly. The minimum fare for a single journey in the second class compartment is Rs.5 (INR) which goes up to Rs.30. The maximum fair is Rs.245 if you travel first-class. (source: https://www.mumbai77.com/city/3653/travel/local-train-seasonal-pass-fares/) The ticket prices vary from Rs.65 to Rs. 220 (€2,55) in an AC local introduced in 2018.
Fellow passengers are the best teachers:
You come across different types of people while traveling. Students’ traveling to schools and colleges, employees rushing to the offices, senior citizens, differently-abled individuals, or laborers. Everyone has a story to tell and experiences to share.
Abide by the rules:
When you travel by local trains, you ought to know a set of unsaid rules:
- You should always travel light to avoid pickpocket
- Try to be among the first 50% of the people to board or else you might miss
- Before you try to board the train, grab your carry-on bag as tight as possible
- It becomes easier to get on and off the train if you join the crowd, especially during rush hours
- Just in case, you opt to stand at the door to feel the breeze through the moving train, it is assumed you are about to deboard the train at the next station. No matter how hard you resist, you will be pushed out anyway
- Apart from the first-class and general compartments, there is one for the ladies and a separate compartment designated for the elderly, cancer patients, and differently-abled individuals
Gather courage and never give up:
No matter how difficult it gets, the only way to overcome fear is to face it. You might miss the train on your first attempt, but gradually you get a hang of it. Then there is no looking back.
Time is money:
Due to prolonged hours of travel, there is ample time to pursue hobbies like reading, writing, doodling, listening to music, etc. You will find women chopping veggies, knitting, and some talented women applying makeup with precision in a moving train.
I traveled to college and to work for almost nine years that I lived in Mumbai. It was one of the most rewarding experiences to learn and nurture your inner self. I had the best me-time to translate my thoughts into words. I encourage and hope someday you get the opportunity to experience some part of it.
