Looks like SER handled train pantry cars are following IRCTC rate card and MRP seriously. Observed this in 12825 too. The tea was rs 10 but the glass was bigger one. Pantry guys returned the change without any fuss if the MRP figure was not a round figure. No jhik jhik of no change and moving away. Nice to see SER following it. Hope it is followed in other trains and zones too.

---

When they don't have change they give that digestive biscuit pack. I am talking of BBN Janshatabdi here. They give change too but if they don't then Biscuits 🙏

---

The OBHS staffs are very good. Yes AC Chair Car is running empty for the last few days but you won't find CURR Availability in First AC. The aged OBHS staff comes with a black polythene bag to collect all the cups, foils and he is very polite.

---

Yes, today also he was there. He is very dedicated and does a lot to keep the train clean. The best thing is that he takes no tips.

---

Yes. He works with dedication. I am really proud of my Favourite train and it's staffs.

---

It has also become one of my favorite trains. Right up there with Raj, RNC Shatabdi and Saraighat. Will travel in it again and hopefully this time in 2S

---

I don't keep Rajdhanis in favourite lists as they are beyond to be favourite. My ER favourite is Padatik, Favourite Passenger is VB Fast Pass and all time favourite is this sprinter

---

Padatik is a solid train. Never travelled in it as I usually go to north bengal via Saraighat or Shatabdi but from what I have heard, many people prefer Padatik over Mail.

---

Now many a times Pada OTs DM. The condition of DM is not as it how it was 4-5 years back. Cleanliness is not upto the mark of SDAH CDO. Don't know why the condition has deteriorated

---

Yes its quality has degraded. Maybe because ER pays more attention to Padatik. Earlier when there were few trains to North Bengal, Mail was the King but now with a vast array of options available, its position has fallen.

---

If cleanliness is compared, both Darjeeling mail and Padatik are of same level. I travelled in 3ac of Padatik just 1month ago. Our seat was already occupied by some unauthorised passenger when we boarded the train at NJP. And to my surprise, he was not ready to leave my seat also. Then i have to call TTE for getting my own seat. Although our coach was clean at NJP, it became dirty when we reached Bwn. We had a similar experience while travelling in Darjeeling mail from Bwn to NJP. Coach was clean at Bwn but it became somewhat dirty when we reached NJP. But still i found OBHS staff were little more active in Darjeeling mail than Padatik

---

I too travelled in both. Bio toilet was jammed in DM. It was overcrowded with WL ticket holder as well. DM has deteriorated, regular Travellers will admit. Padatik too have DPs and WL pax but not atleast in ACs.

---

From my personal experience, i found WL pax were present in both train and that too in ac coaches both Padatik and Darjeeling mail

---

During Sept/Oct you will find WL pax more or less in most trains. I want to say that DM is not the same type as it was 4-5 years before. Deteriorated in many ways and Padatik is getting more preference from ER. You see recently many a times Padatik OTed DM which dint happen few years back.

---

If you are a regular traveller to north bengal and you are not a fan of any particular train of this route (mainly Darjeeling mail, Saraighat exp and Padatik exp) then you will probably know that none of the trains of this route can be called a clean train during peak hours, specially trains whose demand is high namely Darjeeling mail, Saraighat and Padatik. All have almost similar kind of maintainance standard and cleanliness. Often you will keep on finding people camparing trains like Saraighat, Darjeeling, Padatik, Kamrup, etc but those are mostly fan based comments, being a regular traveller to north bengal i hardly find any difference in the sleeper coaches between these trains. But if you are travelling in Saraighat exp, then always be prepared to face the large number of daily passengers between Barddhaman and Rampurhat. They will sit in your seat without even asking for your consent

---