A blessing for most women when they first started, the trains have fostered a sense of community among Mumbai's women
Mumbai's Western Railway, on May 5, 1992, introduced the first ladies' special train between Churchgate and Borivli, transporting the increasing number of working women comfortably during peak hours. Fast forward 25 years to 2017; the familiar faces of women ticket collectors greet the ladies boarding all four ladies' special trains from Churchgate. This time, it's not to check their tickets, but to distribute sweets and to celebrate this silver jubilee with the women commuters. "Celebrating 25 years of the ladies' special is certainly very special, as I've been part of its inauguration," says Pooja Balprabhulkar, who has been working with Western Railway for 33 years.
A blessing for most women then, the ladies special continues to have several loyal passengers, especially during rush hour. "I was on this train when it first started from Churchgate, 25 years ago. I was pregnant at that time and the ladies' special train helped me board and alight trains which were relatively less crowded. After 25 years, it's a great feeling to be here," says 57-year-old Dolly D'Souza.
Apart from more space for women and the convenience of getting into any compartment, the ladies' specials have instilled a sense of community among its women commuters over the years. "There are so many memories of my friends and I celebrating Women's Day, Mothers' Day, among others. I have made friends from different ethnic backgrounds and we would sing songs in Hindi, Marathi, English and Konkani," says Jennifer Lewis, who takes the ladies' special to commute from home to office and back.
Like Lewis and her train buddies, several train friendships irrespective of age or community, have blossomed over the years. "Around 13 of us have been taking the ladies' special for around 12 years; it's the same train, same compartment, same seats. We get in and get off at different stations, but we know where to find each other, and we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Navratri, and even haldi kumkum" says 47-year-old Harshada Muttu.
But with the number of women commuters increasing, most ladies feel the need for more 'ladies' specials', especially during peak hours. "We leave the office around 5.30 pm, and it takes us 10-15 minutes to reach the station, so it's not always possible to make it for the 5.39 pm ladies special. There's only one special train to Borivli, Bhayandar, and Virar respectively, and it's difficult to alight from the Virar train. So more specials during peak hours would help," adds Muttu.
While the fight for equality between men and women goes on, is it fair to have a 'ladies' special'? "Men have three first class compartments to travel in on regular trains, while women have only one. So having the ladies' special trains makes up for the lack of sufficient compartments for women on regular trains," laughs Muttu. "We also need to be home in time to cook, whereas men can take a later train in case one is too crowded. It would be nice if we had a fast ladies special too," adds Rita Noronha, who has been travelling by the ladies special for the last one year.
With inputs from Pooja Patel
DID YOU KNOW?
- The first ladies special, which ran between Churchgate and Borivli was introduced on May 5, 1992
- Ladies’ special trains to and from Virar were added in 1993
- Western Railway operates eight Ladies’ Special trains a day that are divided equally between morning and evening peak hours
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Ladies' special train")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}