[Reader-list] Fourth Research Posting

[Zainab Bawa]

Fourth Independent Research Posting

To me, as an observer, trains are very entertaining. But they can be quite 
an ordeal for people who have to go through the motions (!) daily. In the 
last one week, there are aspects about train travel which I am suddenly 
discovering from commuters who travel daily by trains. Interviews with them 
have revealed that there are old facets about train life which are dying and 
new facets are emerging owing to the changing work culture. Unlike the past, 
today there are no fixed timings to leave office in the evenings and hence, 
train groups for evenings are gradually diminishing. Women have different 
perceptions of safety when it comes to traveling by trains. The three 
persons I have spoken to thus far clearly state that it is a courageous act 
to enter the general compartment all alone – all of them mentioned that they 
have entered the general compartment only when they were in groups.

The interviews I have conducted thus far have led me to dig deeper into the 
culture of “train groups” and “train friends” which regular women commuters 
have in the mornings. I am currently trying to talk to members of such 
groups about their experiences of train travel and how do they perceive the 
space provided by trains. I have been combining my experiences and 
observations of Mumbai city in the general with the current research and am 
integrating the writings and experiences into this research.

Currently, I have held interviews with people I know, who, regularly travel 
by trains. I have also scheduled interviews with architects, urban planners, 
women activists, and advertising agencies (who put up hoardings inside the 
trains). I have also started looking up the web for information on New York 
Subways. There are experiments with train design being carried out in IIT. 
If anyone on this list has contacts with students/faculty in IIT, please let 
me know so that I can touch base with the concerned persons.

Please feel free to circulate my postings to people who you think may be 
interested in the topic. It helps to receive more and more feedback. I have 
a list of questions for readers on this list and for people who you think 
will be interested. You can respond to me directly:

1). What happens in cities where there are no trains, or which do not have a 
well-developed system of public transport?
2). What does public transport do to the city life? What is its role in the 
flow of information through the city and in the city’s ability to 
self-organize?
3). What is happening or would happen to Delhi life with the Metro Rail 
System being introduced in Delhi?
4). What is the experience of people from Kolkatta when it comes to trains 
and the metro system? What influence do these systems have on the women in 
this city?
5). Does public transport contribute positively to a woman’s experience of 
freedom? Does it open her mind to new possibilities and play a role in 
affecting stereotypes?

Here is a list of rules of conduct which the New York Subway system has for 
its commuters.

Rules of Conduct
MTA New York City Transit subway and bus rules make everyone’s ride better.
Failure to pay the fare or violation of any of the rules can result in 
arrest, fine, and/or ejection.

Please do not:

·	Damage subway or bus property that includes drawing graffiti, or 
scratchiti
·	Litter or create unsanitary conditions
·	Smoke anywhere on NYC Transit property
·	Drink alcoholic beverages
·	Panhandle or beg
·	Play a radio audible to others
·	Use amplified devices on platforms
·	Use more than one seat
·	Block free movement
·	Lie down
·	Engage in unauthorized commercial activity
·	Enter tracks, tunnels, or non-public areas
·	Carry open bulky items likely to cause inconvenience

All of the above rules are conveniently violated in the Mumbai Local Trains. 
A rule such as “Do not block free movement” does not naturally apply to 
local trains because there is no choice of free movement owing to the 
burgeoning crowds. Lying down is a common activity among the unorganized 
sector and the fisherwomen who travel by trains. Sitting on the train floors 
and especially by the doors is common with women wanting to relax their feet 
and have some space to themselves. Even women from ‘sophisticated’ classes 
lie down when space permits inside the trains. Graffiti and especially 
scratchiti are very much a part of commuting life. I do not know whether one 
should label these as bad things to do in a train! Is graffiti a positive 
contribution to a city? Audio is a part of local train life – it is provided 
simultaneously by passengers, vendors, bhajan singers, and all and sundry.

As a fourth research posting, I am attaching a copy of my interview with 
Trupti Nayak, currently an HRD Manager, who taught me how to travel by 
trains in Mumbai when I was in college.

Please keep the questions, comments and feedback coming. I am open to the 
idea of doing web interviews with people who are interested in sharing train 
experiences.

Starting from 15th May, I am traveling to cities of Bangalore, Srinagar, 
Delhi and Kolkatta. It will be a pleasure to meet with and talk to people on 
this list based in these cities regarding their experiences in their city 
and on the above questions.

-	Zainab Bawa
-	For communication, email zainabbawa at yahoo.com

_________________________________________________________________
Send flowers in 24 hours!  
http://www.fabmall.com/affiliatehtml/redir/nl7.asp At MSN Shopping.