Title - TTEs are now ‘captains’

To avoid confusion over which authority grievances on long distance railway journeys should be reported to, the Railway Board has decided to identify senior train ticket examiners (TTEs) as 'captains'. As per the system, which will be introduced in long distance mail and express trains, the term 'captain' will be displayed on the left arm sleeve of TTEs.

Western Railway has complied with the Board's directive and TTEs in three of its trains — Mumbai to Indore Avantika Express, Mumbai-Delhi-Amritsar Golden Temple and Mumbai Central Jaipur Superfast Express, will wear the arm bands.

A senior railway official said, "Badges have been provided to senior ticket checking staff. The arm band has to be worn on the left arm by the TTE on duty. In case of multi-leg journey, the ticket checking staff changes, causing confusion among passengers. This will now be avoided."

For example, in Golden Temple Mail, the ticket checking staff changes at Ratlam Junction, Kota Junction, Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin before arriving at Amritsar Junction. Midway into the journey, if passengers want to complain they find it difficult to locate the TTE.

Captains will be required to perform supervisory duties similar to train superintendents who accompany superfast trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto that operate as point-to point services. Captains will also be required to monitor on-board housekeeping crew.