God help us ....

As usual, Alok's beaten the gang. I was working my contacts to shoot the interiors of the 84 berthed GR and the 81 berthed SL coaches at MAS. A wonderful set of pics, Alok! Thanks.

What is wrong with SMB concept? IR is in business to make money and squeeze every inch of space to generate revenue.

Passengers do have an option to opt for AC2 if they do not like SMB.

No frill airlines not only dropped lunch but also reduced pitch (distance between two seats). Skybus, a new airline charges for check in baggage.

So what is wrong in concept? Nothing is free for sure. Instead of paying Rs. 300 for Tatkal, it's cheaper to sleep in SMB.

Please provide valid arguments against it. Thanks.

Big Bad Wolf at his sarcastic best!! Thanks for the pics Alok!! I was wondering which Yoga - asana would suit, for me to curl up onto a SMB, if at all I were allocated one!

There is nothing right in the SMB concept per my say. As a passenger who have travelled extensively in both 3A/SL through my life, I would say that passengers demand at least some comfort rather than treated as cattle. Vacant berths in Alok's pictures are looking better but just think when the coach will be loaded with 81 passengers plus the unauthorized passengers.

My future comments deferred till I travel on this type of coach.

Well size matters really! It's easy to say IR is just trying to earn more revenue but if this keeps going on, it's going to lose out some of its passengers. I thought government facilities were kept in mind to provide satisfaction and comfort for the people; this seems as if they want to drive out their passengers ;-)

dear Praveen, it would require a bit of genetic engineering for your next generation to fit in SMB.rgds..

Its not about revenues. Apart from the berth, check out the seat that the 'extra' person will occupy. Is it right for folks to pay the same fare to sit in lesser space than the one right opposite them? And what about luggage space for that 'extra' - under the side berths or where the seat is? And for the extra 9 passengers, the number of lavatories remain the same. Its not been long since I last travelled in Sleeper class and I cannot imagine doing it now!

Very bad indeed. Its my sincere prayer to God that Pushpak Express should not get SMB till 11th February 2008 ;-)

"Something is always better than nothing ". Nothing wrong if SMB are reserved for RAC only. But it would be awfull if a person who books two months in advance and ends up with a lousy SMB.

Yet another Lalu's concepts of Premium Packaged 3A/SL Tin cans @ Discount of 4% from existing Fare!!, Utter Nonsense I say of this Happening, Thanks Alok for helping us get prepared at the ordeal we've gotta face. Colin Peter

Wonderful job Alok! At first I thought photos from some prison cell were put up in the gallery until I realised that it is insight into the future troubles of 3AC travel! Nevertheless, the warm interiors are a welcome change from the standard blue. Somewhat makes up for the lack of comfort!