The primary problem the Delhi Metro is facing right now is that they ordered Rolling Stock (trains) not based on the original, overly optimistic passenger projections (which have not been met), but some internal, low ball estimate which turned out to be well short of actual traffic.

So you have a ludicrous situation where passenger numbers are lower than initial projections, but ground reality is of significant overcrowding. To compound their woes, the new trains from Bombardier have been facing teething issues.

The situation described in the blog, where there was a gap of 18 minutes before a train arrives, and the next one follows in 3 minutes, is symptomatic of this. Due to overcrowding, the lead train takes longer to leave a station as it takes longer for crowds to get in and get out with the typical Indian jostling and pushing. As it goes from station to station, it keeps getting further delayed, and this delay only increases the number of passengers trying to get on. In the mean time, the train behind, which doesn't have to pick up as many passengers, catches up. This was discussed in another thread in the context of buses - I forget the term used for the phenomenon.

DMetro claims that more trains are on their way but it will take several months before enough of them arrive to ease the situation. In the mean time, the average dilliwallah will have to grin and bear it.

Interesting contrast in crowd behaviour in Bangkok, Thailand which I had the pleasure of observing recently. About 7:30 in the evening, peak traffic, packed trains. The platform is chock full of people. But what do they do? Instead of lunging for the train all together like it was a matter of national pride at the Olympics (Andheri Station, Mumbai for example), they line-up meekly in two columns in front of the spots marked on the platform indicating position of the train doors. When the train comes, they allow people on board to get off, and then the queue moves forward in an orderly fashion. Only as many get on as can fit on the train, the rest of the queue waits for the next one.

You could have knocked me down with a feather. At that moment, I would have signed up for Buddhism, Monarchy and whatever else it is that makes these people that way.

• favorite 65 Likes
• | login or register to post comments

check this in Japan..they are like any other Indian train/bus station!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz_lRBpk76Q

New Orleans showed how even Americas can go unruly..during the levy break!

Your analysis on why the train got delayed seems to be good and all people need to be aware of is that the next train is just 3-5 min away and wait..hope they do in Blr!

• favorite 59 Likes
• | login or register to post comments

they line-up meekly in two columns in front of the spots marked on the platform indicating position of the train doors. When the train comes, they allow people on board to get off, and then the queue moves forward in an orderly fashion. Only as many get on as can fit on the train, the rest of the queue waits for the next one.

It's not just Bangkok - this is exactly how it is in China too, & there are wardens who oversee that discipline is strictly maintained. In some stations, the coach warden has a mic & announces when the coach is full & boarding must stop - & queue freezes immediately. It was amazing to see such discipline in practice.

Tokyo-Yokohama's professional "pushers" have been there from a long time since crowds are simply too heavy during peak hours, it being one of the largest megalopolises in the world - the effort is to 'pack' as many as possible into the train coaches. Despite this, passengers are not unruly & crowd behavior within the overcrowded trains is remarkable - one never feels that he is being pushed around.

Wonder how Namma Metro will be, when it commences here !

• favorite 48 Likes
• | login or register to post comments

 Wonder how Namma Metro will be, when it commences here

I can tell it will be indisciplined, it will not be on time, frequencies will be crazy. I dont see why it will be very dissimilar from Delhi? The people are similar, so is the infrastructure. The trains will be run, but as usual there will be no training to the people on how to use it (stand aside let people get off then board). As usual our enforcement will be lax and nobody will be told how to behave. Bangalore will be like Tokyo, if not now, in the future, heavily populated. So it will be good to learn how crowds are handled, we may need pushers when the density starts building around the stations in 10 years. 

• favorite 57 Likes
• | login or register to post comments