1st class ticket in the train

I noticed when I was in India is that once my wife went to the counter (railway platform in Mumbai) and bought first class train tickets. What surprised me was that she didnt have to wait in the Q as there was a very long queue to buy tickets. When she returned with the tickets I asked her as to how she went directly in front and bought the tickets without waiting in the Q to which she said that as first class tickets were 5 times more expensive than normal tickets they give you the privelege of not waiting in Q . And not a single person in the Q raised any objections when she went right ahead which means everybody in Mumbai is aware and accepted that rule.

Here is The netherlands irrespective what class ticket you buy you have to wait in the Q.

Love to hear from people what they think about this ......... is it fair to go right ahead and buy your tickets or wait till your turn even if you are buying first class tickets.

Women in India can always go straight to the front of the queue, it doesn't matter what ticket there buying.

I think that is not right, even not in mumbai..... maybe in small cities or villages as I have seen people yell and make a huge commotion if someone does not wait in Q.

I've noticed some states and cities have a "Ladies Queue". But with the railways, do they have their own policy, or do that adopt the local policy.. For example, everywehere in Kerala, there was aldies queue -- even in the cinema theaters. In Bangalore, I did not see any..

That's correct - if there is not a separate Ladies' queue, then women can go straight up to the counter. It may not be a written down rule - but its an accepted practice in most places, in India.

I beg to differ with both Steven and Paagla. There is NO separate queue for ladies. In fact, at a few stations, I've seen signboards which take the trouble to point this out -"No separate queue for ladies".

To get to OP's question, yes, there IS a separate queue for buying a first class ticket on a suburban train in Mumbai. This means that one can go directly to the window and ask for a first class ticket, without bothering to stand in the queue. As first class ticket purchasers on the suburban train are paltry in number, I feel this is fine.

these are tiny acts of courtesy that make life a bit more cheerful. some places do mention special preference to ladies. for example - in bengal, seats in public transports are earmarked for ladies: if ladies are not there, gents occupy the seats but leave them immediately a lady gets on board and does not find a seat vacant.

This rule is one of these grey areas in Indian life. I've seen women go to the front of the que without anyone raising an eyebrow, then again I've seen women sent to the back of the que for their audacity!

You are absolutely correct cyber. It happens in India only. But you will find that day by day people are getting more concious & they are opposing this system. Even ladies too are not keen to take such advantages in most cases .(though there is exception always). It actually depend upon the culture & mentality of the people . You may find a very sophisticated lady taking this advantage where as a lady from the lower class denying to take this priviledge.

Terry M , as Shimla mentioned there are special counters for first class tickets in most of the big station & you will find it is quite empty in most of the time ompare to other counter for general tickets.

i am getting confused - big stations have computerised ticketing systems where any one can stand at any counter and purchase any class of ticket for any destination. where then are the special first classs counters?

yes, separate counters are very much there for senior citizens/handicapped persons/freedom fighters/journalists/service personnel of the armed forces.

" i am getting confused - big stations have computerised ticketing systems where any one can stand at any counter and purchase any class of ticket for any destination. where then are the special first classs counters?"


Sadhuji - for your kind information , (From Press Release Northern Railways dt 9.6.2005 )
"Now, the Railway provides further facility for purchase of tickets by enabling rail passengers purchase I Class Tickets from Unreserved Booking Windows from originating stations.

Where no separate counters are available for I Class Tickets, Passengers can purchase the First Class Tickets from the II Class Booking Windows. Now the I Class Tickets can be purchased from Unreserved Booking Windows at stations."


.For details:- http://www.northrail.org/scripts/static/RecentReleasesDisplay.aspx?id= 1082

Well I asked my wife again and she says that every ticket counter has 2 Q's (mind you in the same counter) one is the normal and on the right side for 1st class ticket buyers. And the sign is put up in red above all the counters. So if you are standing on the right of the long long Q it is understood that you are buying first class ticket and so nobody in the Q makes a commotion.

india is a very sexist country. the ladies here seek equality but insist on jumping the queue!

I do not see any scope for confusion. I was clearly referring to the SUBURBAN TRAIN TICKET WINDOWS in Mumbai, where there is indeed a separate queue for first class passengers, AT THE SAME TICKET WINDOW.

thanks to you and ddutta - my confusion has now vanished.