Thanks to Saravana stores – Timetables are back in MRTS stations

For the past few months, the MRTS stations in Chennai were devoid of timetables (for a month or so). Being a recent regular traveler , I found it very difficult while waiting for trains.
Now, saravana stores has placed new timeboards on all stations. I am sure many a commuter will be thankful.

Beauty and the beast

This is a lake present on the bypass road between Velachery and Pallavaram. The water, greenery and the cranes were beautiful

Check out what is behind – Beast of a garbage dump!

King fisher losing senior passengers flying out of Mumbai due to lack of elevators

In mumbai, the kingfisher terminal is in 1A. There are no elevators in this terminal and all passengers have to climb two floors of stairs for the check-in counter.
After the ticketing, passengers climb down the two stairs (escalators are present) to board the aircraft.

I know of senior citizen passengers who refused to fly by KF after one experience with the climbing and made their booking in Jet Airways.

I like King fisher airlines for their good service. KingFisher are you listening?

If elevators are indeed present in 1A terminal and I had missed them, please add comments so that it is helpful to all
p.s. the same terminal is also used by Air India.

Jet Airways proves senior friendly

Had a pleasant surprise last week, when I had to fly a few seniors in Jet Airways from Chennai – Mumbai and Back.

On the onward journey I had my 85 year old grandma and I had mentioned a wheel chair request while ticketing. While alighting from the flight in Mumbai, a jet airways employee was waiting at the end of the steps with a wheel chair.

On the return journey I had four seniors – two over 70 and two over 60 returning all by themselves. They had good feedback about Jet personnel helping them with the luggage etc. Seems in Mumbai they had requested for help and an airhostess carried all their luggage and placed it in the overhead bins. While alighting, the same person carried all the luggage till close to the exit and placed it in a trolley for them.

Good job guys. Keep it up

Velachery Electricity Board office - Not friendly for Senior Citizens or disabled

Went to the Electricity Board office in Velachery the other day to pay the monthly bill

The payment counters are in the first floor and there are about 20-25 steps to climb. Many of the paying consumers are senior citizens.

I think the Government should take the lead in showing that it cares for the Seniors, and those who need extra care and attention. It can easily set the standards that others need to follow. Some action instead of the usual and statements would help.

Fast Track - Sudden increase in rates w/o announcement

Have been a regular user of Meru in Bangalore as their service is pretty good and decent. Found a similar service in Chennai "Fast Track" - http://www.fasttrackcalltaxi.in/
Booked a taxi from home to Airport on 20th Feb - The agent conveyed that rates are 100/- for first 5 km and 12.50/- for each extra km. and specifically mentioned to pay the meter rate only.
When we reached the airport the meter was at 170.
Had to travel to the airport again on 28th Feb (after the budget ). This time the agent did not say anything regarding rates.
After a few kms I saw that the meter was at 120 (instead of 100) and was running at 15/- km. When I reached the airport the meter stood at 205.
When I checked with the driver he gave some unclear reasons about night rate (infact this trip started later than the earlier trip) etc. After questioning that only a week ago I travelled at 15% lesser rate, he was okay with me paying the old rate itself.
Seems after the budget, Fast track has silently increased the rates or extended the night timings. Seems a unethical slight of hand to me..