Taking note of the complaints it received from commuters about porters charging different rates at different stations, the four-member team of Passenger Amenities Committee (PAC) of the Union railway ministry led by its chairperson Chalavadi Narayanaswamy suggested porters carry rate cards
The suggestion was made after the team recently visited stations like Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Vile Parle and Borivli.
Weighty idea: Move hopes to end porters’ disputes with passengers
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The PAC suggested that porters hang rate cards around their necks so passengers can easily see them. The committee members said this would put an end to the angry arguments passengers and porters while bargaining.u00a0
“The PAC team met a group of porters at the Mumbai Central station and suggested they hang a placard around the neck bearing the rates for carrying various luggage items,” said a senior WR official.
Besides meeting the porters, the PAC team also inspected waiting rooms, dormitory, Jan Ahar food stalls and other amenities on the station premises. The team visited also visited the base kitchen, exclusively meant for preparing food for passengers aboard Rajdhani trains followed by an inspection of the Train Management System (TMS) that controls the suburban services.
Porters speak
“I recently replaced my father as a porter. The idea of having a rate card seems feasible. This will end the hassle of arguing with passengers to get a good amount,” said Shivaji Raut, a porter who works at CST.
Porter Ashok Ahwad said, “The card needs to be luggage-specific because the weight varies. So all these details must be taken care of before the decision is implemented.”u00a0
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