Chennai: Urban railways?

laurieseb · Dec 6th, 2007, 03:40

I just watched a program of the bbc ( I live in england for now) about the mumbai railway. It is jut scared me !!! I do not know if I will be able to cope. Is it the same in Chennai ???

shashank.aggarwal · Dec 6th, 2007, 09:11

Millions and Millions of Indians and almost all the western backpackers use the Indian railway system and most of them simply end up loving it !!

You would do just fine !!

manojb · Dec 6th, 2007, 09:20

What you see in Mumbai is the suburban railway, which is quite a different creature from the (reserved classes of) long distance trains. If you are a traveller, you will most probably be travelling with reservations and will have a guaranteed seat/berth. If you do travel in the unreserved compartment, there might be some crush, depending on the route, but nothing like the Mumbai suburban. Chennai does have a suburban railway, but I don't know how it is.

laurieseb · Dec 6th, 2007, 13:08

thanks for your posts !

laurie

rangss · Dec 6th, 2007, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurieseb

I just watched a program of the bbc ( I live in england for now) about the mumbai railway. It is jut scared me !!! I do not know if I will be able to cope. Is it the same in Chennai ???

Chennai has the same kind of suburban railway system. Only it is not as crowded as Mumbai.

You may opt for the ladies coach or a first class coach to avoid crowds.

arshyam · Dec 7th, 2007, 23:57

If you take suburban trains in Chennai during rush hour (locally called peak hours), make sure you go first class so that you do not have to handle much overcrowding. You should be okay in non-rush hour trains.

Nick-H · Dec 8th, 2007, 01:28

I don't think I'd like to travel on the trains during the rush hours, but I doubt that they are much worse than London's tube trains during a heat wave. For the rest of the day the trains are not crowded.

The "MRTS" (Mass Rapid Transport System) railway is a great way to get from one end of the city to the centre. Much of it is elevated and gives good views, and it is very, very cheap. IIRC, it costs less than Rs.10 to cover its entire length. It has now been extended South to Velacherry.

Unless, however, train stations just happen to be amazingly convenient to both ends of your journey, it is much more likely that your journey would be by car or auto.

Dec 6th, 2007, 03:40	#1
laurieseb Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Posts: 20	Chennai: Urban railways? I just watched a program of the bbc ( I live in england for now) about the mumbai railway. It is jut scared me !!! I do not know if I will be able to cope. Is it the same in Chennai ??? Last edited by machadinha : Dec 8th, 2007 at 00:20. Reason: adjusted title

Dec 6th, 2007, 09:11	#2
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,519	Millions and Millions of Indians and almost all the western backpackers use the Indian railway system and most of them simply end up loving it !! You would do just fine !! __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

Dec 8th, 2007, 01:28	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,902	I don't think I'd like to travel on the trains during the rush hours, but I doubt that they are much worse than London's tube trains during a heat wave. For the rest of the day the trains are not crowded. The "MRTS" (Mass Rapid Transport System) railway is a great way to get from one end of the city to the centre. Much of it is elevated and gives good views, and it is very, very cheap. IIRC, it costs less than Rs.10 to cover its entire length. It has now been extended South to Velacherry. Unless, however, train stations just happen to be amazingly convenient to both ends of your journey, it is much more likely that your journey would be by car or auto. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Dec 6th, 2007, 09:20	#3
manojb Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 423	What you see in Mumbai is the suburban railway, which is quite a different creature from the (reserved classes of) long distance trains. If you are a traveller, you will most probably be travelling with reservations and will have a guaranteed seat/berth. If you do travel in the unreserved compartment, there might be some crush, depending on the route, but nothing like the Mumbai suburban. Chennai does have a suburban railway, but I don't know how it is.

Dec 6th, 2007, 13:08	#4
laurieseb Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: uk Posts: 20	thanks for your posts ! laurie

Dec 7th, 2007, 23:57	#6
arshyam Miss my home! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: U.S., wish it were Madras Posts: 6	If you take suburban trains in Chennai during rush hour (locally called peak hours), make sure you go first class so that you do not have to handle much overcrowding. You should be okay in non-rush hour trains.

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