20 Train Travel Tips, especially for Senior
Citizens
I got a brief note from my friend Shyam Singh on
train travel safety. I expanded that note into a twenty plus enumeration.
- As
most of the services relating to train travel are outsourced they have
mechanisms to get complaints and look into it. These relate to cleaning
within compartments, catering, toilet cleaning etc. Don’t suffer
inconvenience. Do use the channels to complain. Things are bound to
improve.
- Before
you set out to the station ensure you have correct ticket, necessary Id
cards and details about Reservation, platform etc. I have made mistakes of
noting time of departure incorrectly and in one instance even the date of
journey !! This resulted in missing the train or getting into wrong
trains!
- Try
to spot genuine passengers, preferably a family and introduce yourself
briefly – sufficient enough to identify you. Will be useful if you become
unconscious or get involved in some accident or emergency.
- Ensure
free movement near the entry / exit doors of the compartment. If
obstructions are seen, have them moved out, through persuasion or
complaints.
- Secure
your luggage by locking them up properly.
- Be
wary of passengers, especially singles, who may be getting off at
intermediary stations at night. You are likely to lose your baggage
unguarded.
- Learn
where emergency Door / exit windows are provided and how to open / operate
them
- Do
not accept food drink or eatables from strangers.
- When
you go for toilet in the night see that you do not leave valuables in the
seat. Be extra careful when train is halting at a station. Somebody may
walk away with your luggage even by mistake.
- Always
carry a small notebook where important contact names and phone numbers are
noted. Realize that your mobile may be stolen / lost. Both contacts
from your own place and in the destination city are necessary.
- Always
carry essential medicines in addition to your regular medicines for
BP Diabetes etc Take your medicines
at appropriate times.Carry water and snacks. Arrival or availability of
food may be delayed beyond endurance.
- Carry
a foldable umbrella, candle or torch, pen knife, tissue etc
- Spread
out cash in different pieces of luggage to minimise loss.
- Leave
at home photo copy of all your ID Cards (credit Debit Aadhar PAN etc)
- DO
not accept to carry unknown people’s baggage.
- Do
not carry inflammable / dangerous prohibited goods.
- Note
down emergency numbers (say Railway Protection Force) mentioned in
compartments – you may be in apposition to reach that place during
accidents.
- Do
not lend your mobile phone to strangers.
- Do
not reveal too much about yourself as that may attract misuse /
misrepresentation.
Points 21 to 26 have been contributed
by Dr T Thomas
21.
Keep at least 1 litre
drinking water in the baggage for emergency. Use the bottled water available in
train/platforms during the journey. Similarly the medicine stock carried
must be sufficient for at least 3 times the duration of the stay at the destination
22.
Carry a list of emergency
contact Nos. of 2-3 physicaly fit persons at the source
and destination stations. Spouses' name may be included just for information
only. If he/she is morbid, getting an emergency call may only add to their
physicsal or mental miseries.
23.
Carry a detailed time table
for the forward and return journeys which can easily be downloaded from the
railway website. Also carry a brief time table of other trains between the
source & destination.
24.
Avoid travels which starts
after 22.00 hrs and reaches before 04.00. In case the only train reaches the
destination before 04.00, donot leave the station before sunrise. Relax only in
restrooms/platforms where there are many people present. Take care to move to
the middle of the platform avoiding both the ends. Donot doze off on the
platform. Keep alert by taking tea/coffee etc if required.
25.
Always travel light. If more luggage is
unavoidable carry the same in a strolly bag; Often we find no porters at
several stations except during peak hours.
26.
Avoid the use of high
end/smart phones during the journey as this is an attractive booty for thieves.
If one must, keep it locked up in the baggage in the silent mode. An ordinary
phone will eminently meet the need for communication during the journey.
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