Title - CR’s train time mgmt sys flops

The railways’ much-touted Train Management System (TMS) has been a flop with Central line commuters. The computerized system, through which information about train arrivals and departures is put up on electronic display boards in platforms, has failed to impress, with passengers calling it erratic.
    “It works in fits and starts,” said Kurla resident Himanshu Shukla.
    “There are times when the system does not work for days. This is strange considering that TMS is a tried and tested technology and in use on WR,” he said.
    CR activated TMS between Masjid and Vidyavihar in April 2011. On July 25 this year, the system was activated at all Main line stations till Kalyan. In all, between CST and Kalyan, there are 26 stations with 92 platforms. The project was more than a decade in the making and cost Rs 32 crore.
    At times, the indicators do not change after a train’s departure. “Once I was waiting at the platform for a fast train to Ambernath. The train had already left, but the indicator still mentioned the arrival time. After waiting for quite a few minutes, I asked a stall owner and only then came to know about the departure of the train,” said Ghatkopar resident Sonal Shah.
    CR general manager Subodh Jain said, “We are not satisfied with its performance and so have decided to issue a notice to to Bombardier Transportation (which installed the system).”
    Bombardier won the contract for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of TMS on Central Railway stations in Mumbai in 2008.