Sir,

A week back, me and my wife  (both senior citizens) visited Bengaluru to attend to some personal work.  On our way back we had to  catch 6.15 Chamundi Express. As my wife is suffering from chronic knee pain,  we requested the assistance of the battery run vehicle (for the first time) from the back gate to platform number 5 (which is a long walk as the AC coach where we had our reservation, is attached right behind the engine).

We were under the impression that the service was free for the disabled, but to our surprise the driver said that we had to pay Rs.24 per person. There was no chance for any argument. As we had no option,we utilised the car service by making payment. No one will question if that is the  rule. What was more frustrating was that we were not allowed by the driver to keep even a small suit case with us !!  After a long argument he reluctantly obliged.

It is very sad that these measures implemented with a particular purpose are not really passenger friendly.  Well, in the end, even after a demand, he neither showed any order or  paper in support of the charge, nor gave any receipt for the payment we made.

I still don’t know whether we really have to pay or we were just taken for a ride literally. If the Public Relations Officer of the Railways throws some light on the issue, it will be of great help to many passengers like us.

– Prof. K.V. Satyan, V.V. Mohalla, 9.3.2019

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