(You’ll find links to all parts of this Maharashtra tour series at the end of this post.)
We are on our way to Pune for the wedding of my wife's cousin's son.
We set off from home at 14:30, and the first leg of our journey was a breeze thanks to the Bengaluru Metro. Honestly, it's a lifesaver in a city like Bengaluru with all its traffic.
From my doorstep to the metro platform takes 15 minutes, and then 25 minutes by metro to reach the Bengaluru City Railway Station. By road, that same distance would take at least an hour!
No indication of coach position
We arrived at the station with plenty of time to spare, and our train, the 11014 Kurla Express (Coimbatore-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express), pulled in right on schedule at 15:45.
Usually, the display boards clearly show where each coach will be on the platform, which makes boarding so much simpler. But today, strangely, there was no such indication.
Thankfully, with a 15-minute halt, we had enough time to walk down the platform and find our coach without too much fuss.
Delayed departure
The scheduled departure was 16:00, but we ended up leaving at 16:22 The reason for the delay was not known.
Barely five minutes into our journey, the train came to a complete stop. No idea why, and the AC went off. Possibly some technical glitch.
We finally got going at 16:50.
On a brighter note, the tea I had on the train was very good – much better than the usual ₹10 cuppa I've had before!
The coach is quite lively with a few children, having a whale of a time.
We had another brief, unscheduled stop at Yelahanka Junction. I noticed that between platform 1 and 2, there was only a single track. That means you could board or alight using either platform 1 or platform 2.
Usually, in stations, especially those big enough to be classified as a junction, there are at least two tracks between platforms.
Around 20:30, we tucked into the dinner we'd packed from home.
Delay is fine
The train is currently running about an hour behind schedule, but that actually works out quite well for us.
Because if it continues to be an hour late, we should arrive at our hotel in Pune right around our check-in time of midday.
If the train catches up and arrives on time, we will be early at the hotel, and hopefully, the room is ready for early occupancy.
Hopefully, the children will quieten down in time for sleep.
(I must clarify here that usually trains are on time. Even if they are delayed for some reason, they make up for it, especially during the night. The delay today may be an exception.)
(To be continued)
Maharashtra tour 2025 series
Day 1 - May 6 - Chugging along to Pune
Day 2 - May 7 - Pune - News, nuisance, and festivities
Day 3 - May 8 - Pune - A day of mixed emotions
Day 4 - May 9 - Pune - History, temple, and reminiscences
Day 5 - May 10 - Pune - Whirlwind tour and news flash
Day 6 - May 11 - Sambhaji Nagar - A special breakfast and a tryst with nature
Day 7 - May 12 - Sambhaji Nagar - Ellora Caves
Day 7 - May 12 - Sambhaji Nagar - Paithani saris, Bibi Ka Maqbara
When using public transport delays can happy and yes said delays are frustrating not only for the passengers but the staff as well, getting angry and hostile will change nothing so why bother
ReplyDeleteYes. What you said is absolutely right. No point in getting agitated.
DeleteSorry about the delays. Glad you have a good public transportation system. Makes things easier.
ReplyDeleteYes. Metro is a boon. Buses are totally unreliable. Trains are generally on time. Delays are an exception.
DeleteI do hope the children quieted down. :) Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteHi Darla, they did become quiet.
DeleteHi Pradeep - I loved how tolerant you were of the children having a "whale of a time" - I'd probably have been frowning at them by dinner time :) I hope you got plenty of sleep to keep you on the ball for the wedding.
ReplyDeleteHi Leanne, they were not too much of a bother. They became quiet soon.
DeleteSafe travels to Pune for the wedding. Hopefully, the train will have a smoother journey from here on out, and the delay will indeed work out perfectly for your hotel check-in. Enjoy the wedding celebrations.
ReplyDeleteHi Benita, thank you. The train made up for the delay. We were just ahead of time and we could check in to the hotel without waiting.
DeleteI liked the travel by metro within the city. What an hassle it would have been without metro?. This is one positive aspect in Bengaluru. Small delays in inter city train journey is common.
ReplyDeleteKP
Hi KP, with 3 more metro lines coming up, intracity city commute will become much easier.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteTrain travel is one of those transportations that wavers between the euphoric, meditative and uplifting, to the downright miserable. Seems you are hovering between the tides! YAM xx
Hi Yamini, you are right. Train services have improved a lot over the past 10-15 years. It's getting still better. But there are always those uncertainties.
DeleteI have been to Pune once, and it was a very scenic city with small hills, greenery and all.. I hope you had a good time in Pune :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rajesh, thank you. Yes, my second time here. Quite a nice city. Weather wise very similar to Bengaluru.
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