Shatabdi Exp - janam-janam ka saath hai, agle shatabdi tak - Ananya D'Souza

At Bangalore City station, there is an "illicit nexus" between the Porters and private Taxis. The porters get a commission from the taxi drivers. The porters will ALWAYS take you to so-called "prepaid" taxis waiting outside the station. Actually, these are PRIVATE operators, but are misleading people by painting the letters "PREPAID" on their taxis. These "prepaid" taxis charge upto 40% more than the standard tariff.
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INSTEAD, you should tell the porter to take you to the "RAPID TAXI COUNTER" inside the main entrance hall of the station. At this counter, a...
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policeman will take down your Name and your Destination, and they will charge you based on STANDARD tariff and kms. to your home. The rates here are very reasonable. Note that you pay the driver at the end of the journey.
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BUT, the porter will LIE to you, and tell you that the "rapid taxi counter" is closed, and that the "prepaid" taxi is the best. He will try his best to take you to the so-called prepaid taxis. You MUST tell him very strictly, "I do not care. Take me to the rapid counter." And, "surprise", you will find that the counter is OPEN, and the rates there are about 30 to 40% cheaper than the so-called "prepaid" private taxis waiting outside to fleece passengers.

Take your own food AND water, to last you the entire 24 hour journey. Do NOT depend on the so-called "catering" service in this train.
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Catering is technically "available", but the food is positively HORRIBLE, and catering service is sparse. Thick, unhealthy, oily, INEDIBLE pooris are provided. Tea is undrinkable, luke-warm AND expensive (Rs. 10).
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Overall...
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service inside the train is also horrible. He will come take orders for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you miss him, that's it!!! He will NOT come again. No one ELSE will ever come again, asking if you need water.
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Especially, please take AMPLE supply of water with you, for the whole journey.
I came by AC 1st class from CSTM to SBC, but my experience was overall THIRD CLASS.
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Needless to say, avoid this train if you have other alternatives.