Finally done the much awaited trip by Tejas Express, while going traveled in chair Car & returned in Executive Class from Kudal to Dadar. My genuine comments,for both the class of travel
Comments on Chair Car Service.
Seating Arrangements - as usual 3 x 2 but not like the regular Shatabdi one but taller seats with more comforts for passenger. The much hyped entertainment system with just 5 movie options in Bollywood section (Ajab prem ji Gazab Kahani / Anand / Bhagam Bhag / Tahaan ). No gaming options available in...
more... Chair Car LED Screens,
The food offered is terrible on account of Quality & Quantity both.
Served a Cup of Tea with small cake at 6.45am after Panvel. the breakfst was served at 8.15 am, which comprises of Upama / 2 slice of Bread / butter chip let & Real Mix Fruit Juice in Tetra pack. The portion of Upma was also not adequate. There was no Tea / Coffee Service after Break Fast.
Train was delayed by 10mins till Kankavali but halted for 35mins at Kankavali for Mandovi Express & Trivendrum Rajdhani Crossings, which resulted into 45 mins delay till Kudal.
The occupancy was 100% & 10% of the passengers alighted at Ratnagiri & around 60% at Kudal Station. Overall journey was comfortable with nice AC & seats but certainly not the Value for money due to its 40% additional fare over Janashatabdi.
AC Executive Class Service - Paid Rs.2670 for the journey, while the GO Air late evening Flight was also available at Rs.3300 just 2 days back
Seating Arrangements - Seats are like that of Premier class seats of Airlines with adjustable leg rest & wide enough to give you much needed comfort. The LED screens are little bigger than available in Chair Car with Games for children.
Food & Service - The only word is Pathetic, Served a samosa / small pack of cashews & small pack of Good Day Biscuits along with sachet of ready made Coffee from Girnar. The Dinner was served at around 8.00pm & was prepared by Carnival Restaurant in Ratnagiri, It comprises of 3 Chapati / Paneer Gravy / Dal in bowl / 2 pieces of Gulab Jamun & Amul butter Milk
Generally 2 different Sabji served in Executive class of Shatabdi Express but here it is only one that too terrible. Its very Oily & preparation was completely like a Fish Curry but with pieces of Paneer instead of Fish in Malwani Style. The portion of rice was also very small with tasteless dal. No curd & instead Chass was served, which is big no for dinner
I had traveled by almost all the Shatabdis (Mubai - Ahmedabad / Chennai - Banglore / Agra - Jaipur / New Delhi to Chanigadh / Kathgodam / Kanpur ) & mostly by Executive class & i rate this as worst food compare to any of the Shatabdi's mentioned.
I had given my feedback to IRCTC Manager travelling in the coach & he was almost agreed on the same.
Over all, nothing different than Shatabdi & if you carry your own Tab then the extra premium which Railway charges is worthless
The train was on time till Panvel but got deayed by 40 mins till Dadar.
Over All Rating
Seating & AC Quality - 4/5
Food - 1/5
Punctuality - 2/5 ( 40 mins delay on both the occasion)
Much hyped Infotainment - 2/5
The train will be a success for short period due to media hype but hardly find the repeat passengers who will pay the unnecessary premium\
The much published stories of Head Phones stolen by Passenger = These are cheap head phones similar to what you get in Hip N Hope City tour buses of Paris & Amsterdam to hear the Commentary in preferred language but there you will get 100's of the head phones free & here we make hue n cry about passengers taking the head phones
