This Was Me...
I was her when I used to think of myself in a Mumbai local – independent, making it big in the city of dreams!
Till I got a reality check.
So basically it took me months to first understand that the Mumbai local trains have three lines, Western, Central and Harbour. What are they? Well I am still trying to figure, but here is what you need to keep in mind when you have to survive travelling in a Mumbai local. And the usage of ‘surviving’ in the title is not for effect, it’s actually boils down to survival.
Seat Grabbing
You want a place to sit in the local? Well, you have to GRAB it boss. Yeh Mumbai local hai, seats free mein nahi milti, mehnat karna padta hai.
Here’s How It’s Done
Jumping onto a moving train is never easy but that’s the only way you might get a seat for yourself in a Mumbai local. Most regular commuters are now a pro at it. You have to judge the train’s speed and calculate exactly when to take the plunge. Does it guarantee you a seat? Well, no. Remember there are a few hundred co-passengers who are a pro at it too.
You Can’t ‘Hold’ a Seat
You just got lucky with a seat but your friend is late? Want to reserve a place for her right next to you? Forget it, not happening. You are more than lucky to have grabbed a seat without falling off or losing your slippers while clambering in. But the unwritten rule in the Mumbai local is that you DO NOT get to reserve seats for a friend. Don’t even think about it.
But You Can Book Seat with a Passenger
But you can always book a seat with a passenger who is already seated. It’s totally cool to ask around and find a person who is alighting at the next station and booking her place.
There is Always Room for More
The capacity of a 15-car local is around 4100 passengers but guess how many of us board that train during peak hours? Around 6500. The Mumbai local reportedly carries 7.5 million commuters daily, which is 5 times the population of Estonia, 10 times the population of Bhutan and just a little less than the population of Switzerland. So, how do we all manage to fit in? By using the magic line, “thoda adjust karlo!”.
3-Seater Matlab 4-Seater
Another unwritten rule of the Mumbai local is that the standard 3-seater will always be used as a 4-seater. No matter how fat your co-passengers are, every 3-seater MUST be used as a 4-seater.
Leg Space? What’s That?
The few inches of space between you and the person sitting opposite you is a luxury. That space can actually fit in a cricket team and that’s exactly what’s done. Forget the concept of ‘leg space’ in a Mumbai local.
Use the Luggage Rack
I used to question the utility of a luggage rack in a local while travelling in an empty train. But the day I started taking the Virar Fast (the busiest route in the galaxy), I realised these racks are a blessing. The amount of space a bag takes is enough to accommodate a few more passengers. Basically a bag ON the rack means a few more passengers OFF the platform.
Train Friends
The one thing I can guarantee you on a Mumbai local is entertainment. There will never be a dull moment.
If you are a regular you will eventually make ‘train friends’, that’s a category of friends you meet and chat with in the train ONLY. These ‘train friends’ celebrate birthdays (they even go to the extent of decorating the compartment), take turns to get breakfast even. Eventually they have their own WhatsApp groups and the friendship carries on after train hours too.
Cheap Shopping
You get the best accessories on the local train and I can vouch for it. Not just earrings and hair bands, you can even shop for stoles and kurtas.
Catfights
Yes, train fights are entertaining, and only people who travel by the local would understand what I am trying to say here. No, you DO NOT try to stop a fight or interfere in any manner. You just smirk and look away but keep your ears open because, remember - entertainment! Catfights on a train can sound super funny especially when one of the girl is abusing in English and the other one is trying to prove that she knows English too. Total time-pass!
Other Activities
If you like observing people THIS is the place. You’ll find people chatting away or busy on their laptops, iPads, smart phones, books or just chanting prayers or mantras. The local train has also become a mini film distribution hub. You’ll find commuters watching pirated versions of the latest release and before you know it, the film gets shared across several seats.
Hungry Kya?
From idli sambar to vada pav and from thepla to seeng dana you get it all here. Besides food vendors who move through compartments, if you are hanging at the entrance, you can always scream out for a samosa pav at a passing station with a food counter.
Mumbai Local Hacks
- Calculate the spot on the platform where the entrance to your train compartment might come to a halt. You’ll be in faster, smoother, easier.
- Take a seat only if your station is a while away, else stand near the exit.
- While standing in queue to exit, always ask the person in front of you which station she is alighting. Else you will get blocked.
- During rains carrying huge umbrellas is an inconvenience, always go for a small one which can be easily closed and carried in a plastic bag.
- Always make sure your footwear is not flimsy or loose, you might slip if your slippers are not right!
Now, you are all set to enjoy the ride!
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