Because metro journey isn't that middle class -Governance Now

Because metro journey isn't that middle class

The apex court’s suggestion might be a game changer in years to come. But the people who are motivated already do not need cosy and premium coaches to give their share to the environment.

Swati Chandra | January 7, 2016 | New Delhi

The Supreme Court has suggested the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide for “cosy premium seats” for the “rich, high and mighty” who cannot use their luxury cars during the on-going odd even exercise. The suggestion, if implemented well, might work out and encourage people to prefer metros over their private vehicle. Before DMRC would start pondering over the suggested measures by the Supreme Court, I met a woman belonging to so called “rich, high and mighty” already who, just in seven days of the trial based plan, has realised that “metro journeys aren’t that middle class.”

In the metro train I boarded this morning, I met this woman, in her late 50s, giving friendly smile to every passenger in the pink coach which was full of sad and gloomy faced passengers who were either busy in assorted gossip or were silent looking at others or their smartphones dismally. The woman (claims to own four cars in a posh locality in Ghaziabad) sat beside me and curiously enquired about other metro routes, which I was sure, she doesn’t take that often.

Me: Where exactly you want to go?

Lady: Mandi House.

Me: This metro goes their directly.

Lady: I know. I am asking just to grab some knowledge of the routes I might take in future. I think I will ask for metro map from the customer care desk.

Me: Interesting! You don’t seem like a regular traveller? Aren’t you?

Lady: Yes. I drive every day. This is the first time I am travelling in metro after shifting from Mumbai three years back.

Me: So I guess this is some sort of self-motivation that you are participating in the odd-even plan voluntarily knowing that women are exempted from the rule.

Lady: Ah, no. See the situation is that we have four cars. Three even and one odd. We most drive two out of these cars as other two are now old. So the two cars are odd and even numbered and my husband whose office is at Patel Chowk is taking these two cars and thus I commute in metro these days.

Me: Why don’t you prefer car-pooling with your husband now and on usual days?

Lady: Well, that’s very inconvenient to manage.

Me: Ok. What about metro rides?

Lady: I am enjoying. It isn’t that middle class.

Me: ??

Lady: Earlier, I presumed it to be a very non cosy affair that I am not used to.

Me: Anything changed after you started like routine traveller in these seven days.

Lady: Off course. I will give up driving my car when I am traveling alone, specially to my office. Metros are comfortable and time efficient, so why not go green?

The apex court’s suggestion might be a game changer in years to come. But the people who are motivated already do not need cosy and premium coaches to give their share to the environment.

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