Chapter 2: Travelling by Metro in Bangalore

Regular readers of this blog (numbering to about one), may have noticed that I've started using the style of 'chapters'.  This is to indicate that this is part of the series of articles I've written about 'Getting around in Bangalore'

This time, I'm writing about my observations while travelling in 'Namma Metro'. It's a medium of transport that I use often, and like it too. So in no particular order, here are some observations, thoughts and facts:

• Once you enter the metro station, you are subjected to a security check. Which amounts to putting your bag through the scanner and going through a metal detector body search. While this is fine, what I find obnoxious is that many times, I've found the security personnel not even looking at their computer screens! What kind of screening is that?
• One can either purchase a token for the journey or a travel card (costing Rs. 50). I find the travel card easier to use, since it's just a tap
• Signage is weak. For example:
• Name of station - is at very few places. Once inside the train, not easy to know which station has arrived
• Route map - a static route map which has very small fonts. Very difficult to read from even a short distance
• No electronic signage inside the coach
• The announcement system inside the coach is horrendous to say the least
• Heavily accented while speaking English.
• Wrong grammar. Should be 'Train arriving AT MG Road', instead of 'Train arriving IN...'
• Why have such long sentences? When the train is approaching the station, you can simply say 'MG Road' and that's good enough
• Please make use of specialists for announcements. This sounds like a cost cutting initiative
• The coaches don't stop at exactly the area marked for entry and exit. Therefore, people get in even as people are getting out
• Not enough dustbins
• What's the protocol if one finds suspicious items in the metro? What does one do?

However, I still like the metro. You know why? They're always on time and the people working there are great.