The concept of the Mumbai Local (as the Suburban Train Network is called) is rather interesting, as I discovered when I had to take my first ride.

I was advised to buy a First Class ticket as that compartment would be relatively less crowded. Step one accomplished, I found the right platform number and made my way there. There was already a train waiting. I was suddenly in a quandary. There seemed to be no First Class compartment as far as I could see. Finally, not wanting to be late for my appointment, I boarded the nearest Second Class compartment, that gradually got so crowded that I began to worry about getting off at the right stop.

I noticed that there were more men than women here, and people had a peculiar way of folding the newspaper, that they read even as they were holding on for dear life. All of a sudden, the train stopped at a station and everybody trooped out. Turns out that I took a train that would go only half the distance I had to cover. I stepped out and on a different platform, found another train that was headed to the right destination this time. This time too, I couldn’t find the First Class compartment. As the train was pulling out, I entered the compartment nearest to where I stood. A strange odour pervaded my nostrils and I discovered the concept of a special compartment for fishmongers. Luckily, in that compartment that day, there were no mongers, only the whiff of bygone fish.

I was advised to buy a First Class ticket as that compartment would be relatively less crowded. Step one accomplished, I found the right platform number and made my way there. There was already a train waiting. I was suddenly in a quandary. There seemed to be no First Class compartment as far as I could see. Finally, not wanting to be late for my appointment, I boarded the nearest Second Class compartment, that gradually got so crowded that I began to worry about getting off at the right stop. I noticed that there were more men than women here, and people had a peculiar way of folding the newspaper, that they read even as they were holding on for dear life.

All of a sudden, the train stopped at a station and everybody trooped out. Turns out that I took a train that would go only half the distance I had to cover. I stepped out and on a different platform, found another train that was headed to the right destination this time. This time too, I couldn’t find the First Class compartment. As the train was pulling out, I entered the compartment nearest to where I stood. A strange odour pervaded my nostrils and I discovered the concept of a special compartment for fishmongers. Luckily, in that compartment that day, there were no mongers, only the whiff of bygone fish.

Finally arriving at my destination, I felt a great high as I had done my first train journey in big, bad Mumbai all by myself. The high lasted all day, and long after I returned. That was until someone I know gently pointed out that in addition to the Second Class and the First Class, which was predominantly male dominated, there is such a concept as a Ladies Compartment and a First Class Ladies to make the division even finer. No wonder the men in the compartment I rode looked hostile. I had erringly put it down to find-a-seat aggression.

I also discovered from my friend, that on the platform of any station, the pillars have differently coloured diagonal stripes to indicate First Class and Ladies Compartments. Now if only I had known that BEFORE my journey. It could have saved my riding a Second Class compartment clutching a First Class ticket. Some day, I hope to restore the balance by riding a First Class compartment with a Second Class ticket.

Finally arriving at my destination, I felt a great high as I had done my first train journey in big, bad Mumbai all by myself. The high lasted all day, and long after I returned. That was until someone I know gently pointed out that in addition to the Second Class and the First Class, which was predominantly male dominated, there is such a concept as a Ladies Compartment and a First Class Ladies to make the division even finer. No wonder the men in the compartment I rode looked hostile. I had erringly put it down to find-a-seat aggression.

I also discovered from my friend, that on the platform of any station, the pillars have differently coloured diagonal stripes to indicate First Class and Ladies Compartments. Now if only I had known that BEFORE my journey. It could have saved my riding a Second Class compartment clutching a First Class ticket. Some day, I hope to restore the balance by riding a First Class compartment with a Second Class ticket.