Commute with me!

I've wanted to do this post for a looooong time (inspired by this) but just never got around to take enough photos. Anyway, so when Grace came to visit she took a lot of photos while we travelled around the city so I stole some of them and added a few others, did a little photoshopping (my newest obsession!) and ta-da! Here's what my daily commute in Bombay looks like with some added bits...

walk to the station......or on lazy days take a rickshaw or an auto which is a three-wheeled vehicle and is only found in the suburbs of Mumbai (till Bandra). No rickshaws allowed in the city. The minimum cost is Rs. 9. ...buy your train ticket. The counter is almost perpetually crowded with HUGE lines. To avoid the crowd you can get a pass (which is what I do) or buy coupons or get an ATVM (??) card which is a fancy shmancy thing that you put in a machine to buy your ticket... You can either get a first class or a second class ticket. First class is much more expensive and they have cushioned seats rather than wooden ones! Oh, and it's generally much less crowded too... The minimum cost for a IInd class ticket is 4 bucks. There are three main local train lines in Mumbai - Harbour, Central and Western and they are the most efficient form of local transport in Mumbai - you avoid the maddening traffic and there's a train about every 3 minutes. Let's just say the city would fall apart without the local trains.

but of course it has its limitations ...yeah, that's not even peak-hour crowd at my station (Andheri)!and often the trains are not running on schedule...

...this is a relatively un-crowded IInd class compartment. You just have to find a bit of space and squeeze in. On the local trains, there are special compartments reserved ONLY for women. This is a relief because you don't really want to be rubbing up against stranger-men on overtly crowded trains on your daily commute!...a daily sight. This poor old blind man drums his heart out every day for a few coins from generous travellers on the over-bridge at Andheri station.

...beggars on the street. Taxis/Cabs are much more expensive than autos, but if you're in a hurry and you're in the city - this is your best option. At some places you can also get share taxis. We often share a taxi with other to College from Grant Rd. Station. The minimum fare is Rs.13.
...or bus it! Buses are fantabulous and cheap - problem is you have to sit through a lot of traffic and pollution on the roads. Oh yeah, and CROWDS! Sometimes you may have to stand the whole way and if you're not holding on tight, watch out! This picture doesn't show a local bus, but that's what the crowd looks like usually - pushing, shoving et. al! The minimum is only Rs.3 and they're very well connected to pretty much all parts of the city.yes... you do sometimes see cows on the streets!...and other creatures; pigeons, crows and rats are the most populous. Stray dogs and cats come in second. You might also see a horse carriage. Haven't spotted any elephants yet! ;)

...roadside food! Sugarcane juice is the most refreshing on a hot day (which is pretty much everyday in Bombay!) But watch out if you have a weak stomach! They probably score negative on hygienic standards but that just adds to the flavour and oh-so-cheap! :D A "half-glass" (which is pretty big) of sugarcane juice is just Rs.3!