Its fun travelling in a Local train

On the way back to Kolkata from a distant village on Indo-Bangladesh border where I was attending a friend’s wedding, I had to travel in a local train. While travelling in a local train where 70 people are cramped in the space for 10 may not be your fantasy, the two hours I spent on my first local ride left me humbled and at awe of how the travellers worked together as a community. Here are some of the experiences I had in a local that I haven’t seen in more comfortable trains I have travelled in.

Travelling in local train — Kolkata Local Train | Image Source: Flickr

1. Offering your seat: I have seen people push each other and run to grab the seats in Delhi metro. When the Kolkata local reached half way, I noticed that people started offering their seats to those who were standing. It was an unsaid agreement, as if the people standing were expecting it. Someone tapped on my back and offered his seat to me as well. He knew it was my first time. He smiled and said – “You must be tired. Take my seat”

2. Letting a stranger in your personal space: I was once out for drinks with few friends in London. While I was busy talking to them, I didn’t realize that my shoulder had nudged another person sitting next to me. He was aggravated and snapped back at me. Some of my British friends told me that they like little physical space and are uncomfortable if someone gets too close. It was strange for me at that time as we are used to hugging people while welcoming them even if they are strangers. The Kolkata local apparently knew no concept of personal space. But no one seemed to be uncomfortable because of it. By the way they spoke to each other it seemed that they were good friends. I later occurred to me that most people had met each other for the first time

3. Doing business on the move: The local train slowed as it passed through a village. As if it was a daily norm, a hand came in through the window holding a plate full of cups of tea. The person standing by the window quickly distributed tea to everyone around and returned the plate. Another hand came in offering packets of spiced almonds which people grabbed. And before the train could gather speed again, the money was given. I didn’t even see the face. All I saw was two hands

4. Finding your comfort zone: I saw five people playing cards. I thought they must be good friends who meet every day. But it was not the case. The person who had brought the cards started distributing them to anyone who joined them. When one person had to disembark the train, another would join in and the game would continue. While they played cards, another person read poetry from a book in his space of barely half a square feet

5. Men and women travelled together: I have heard of but never seen incidents of eve teasing in Delhi metro. Even the local train had separate space for women, but considering the space crunch it was surprising for me to see women travel in the same compartment as men and it didn’t seem strange to anyone

While I may still not travel in a local unless absolutely necessary, I will take back such perception altering experiences in my life.

Basic tips about local trains: They are mainly used by daily commuters who travel between cities or villages for work. The tickets are extremely cheap and no advance reservation is required. Local trains run around all major metropolitan cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. If you are a first timer in India, it is recommended that you take some tips from a local person before experiencing local train ride.

‘What unique experiences have you had in a local train?’

Gaurav Bhatnagar

Software Engineer turned Travel Writer, Photographer, and Public Speaker on Responsible Travel. Entrepreneur in Responsible Rural Travel @ www.thefolktales.com