Taken for a ride, literally

India
April 30, 2007 1:34am CST
This incident happened sometime around 1990. May seem ancient but can teach you a thing or two. I was traveling from Bombay(Mumbai) to Nanded and was informed that on reaching Aurangabad I would need to change trains. Unfortunately the train from Mumbai reached Aurangabad two hours late. The connecting train to Nanded was already docked in the adjoining platform ready to depart. I asked a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) if he could provide a ticket or I had to get the ticket before boarding the train to Nanded. He was very friendly and asked me to get into the train as the train was about to depart and that he was authorised to issue a ticket. I got into the train and got a wonderful window seat. Later the TTE came and collected the fare from me. However, he did not issue a ticket and said that I would get the ticket later. Midway through the journey I found the TTE having tea at one of the stations and asked him for the ticket. He said I would get the ticket before I reached Nanded. I started becoming anxious when one of the co-passenger told me that Nanded was only two stops away. Here I was without a ticket and not knowing what to do if I was caught without ticket at Nanded. Just as the train was about to leave the station prior to Nanded, I found the TTE running towards me. He pushed a ticket into me anxious hands and disappeared into the crowd. I looked at the ticket and was surprised to find that I have been issued a ticket from the current station to Nanded. The cost of the ticket was Rs.2/-. The TTE had pocketed the remaining amount but made sure that I could walk out of Nanded station without any problem. Wonder how much the railways would be loosing everyday because of such tricks employed by its own employees. Also wonder how much these employees must be earning every day without paying any taxes on these earnings. Have you been taken for similar rides? Do share your experience, it would help us learn without having to pay for it!!
1 person likes this
1 response
@Zalvor (727)
• Turkey
6 May 07
You've gone through quite some adventure! Maybe you could sue him, or report it to a newspaper, I don't know if it makes sense, but if you wanted to get serious you could do it, but it would probably take long. I am happy you arrived safely and did not get caught, even though it must have been some stress. Take it from the bright side, it was an experience and now you know about such tricks. Thanks for sharing it!
• India
7 May 07
Thanks Zalvor. Anxious yes, stressed no. In India traveling ticketless is not a big crime! You will probably need to pay a fine and ofcourse the cost of the ticket. There are some states where there are more ticketless travelers than valid ticket holders! How is it traveling around in Turkey?
1 person likes this
@Zalvor (727)
• Turkey
7 May 07
Well, I hardly use trains at all. When I travel I usually go by bus and they are quite a bit organized compared to some 10 years ago. The last time I took train, I took it for international travel, from Croatia to Istanbul, and did not encounter any problems.