5 Things Indian Railways can do!

1. Hotel Coaches:

Allow 3rd party to build coaches. Privatizing the Indian Railways is nowhere in the radar. Not even possible in this century. So, Indian Railways can get into some sort of an agreement with big groups such as Intercontinental, Hyatt, Sheraton or any other interested hospitality big name, who can conceptualize a coach and attach it to a train in a particular route. For example, people in Chennai having business meetings at Bangalore can book in the Intercontinental coach and this coach will be just like a hotel room booked. People can check in at Chennai, reach Bangalore, finish the meeting, stay for the night in the coach itself and then return to Chennai the same day or the next day. These coaches shall not be coach dependent. Depending on the schedule of the passenger, the coach can be coupled to any train to the required destination. These coaches can also work in the long route trains. Chennai to Delhi or Bangalore to Calcutta etc. Below is a cross section of a Maharaja Coach which looks like a single room at a lodge.

2. Fine Dine at 100 Km/Hr:

India is known for economical and cost effective food prices. An average vegetarian meal will be priced between Rs 100 - Rs 300 in a decent restaurant. Now instead of the traditional pantry car method, the Railways can introduce Restaurant Coaches to replace the pantry car. Chosen restaurant chains can be allowed to design and built their own coaches from any ICF. Imagine boarding a Shatabdi Express from Chennai to Bangalore having a Rajasthani or Gujarati restaurant. Or the Rajdhani Train to have a Saravana Bhavan restaurant. It will bring a cross country culinary experience. Most ICE trains in Europe have such a coach.

3. Station Lounge:

Most stations already have, but that is technically a "waiting area" run by the Indian Railways. These lounges owned by private corporates and available for people who can spend few hours before taking the train. Also open to the general public for a fee. Lounges should include food and beverages. These lounges could be present at major stations. Long distance travellers can use this lounge for meet & greet services and etc. Similar to the airport ones, it can have host of other services also. This idea stuck me since I started traveling almost 15 years ago, but seems it has been recently implemented somewhere.

4. Train Theme

From Tamil Movie Nanban

This picture is from a movie scene. This is a normal train that is painted for the purpose of the movie. However this can adapted by Indian Railways using various touristic themes, state or national themes. Important festivals and occasions can be painted on the train to promote tourism and culture.

5. Abolish Platform Tickets

What is the purpose of a platform ticket? Whatever might be the purpose it serves or the revenue it generates, it can be underwritten. Abolish platform tickets.