What's up with all the railroad questions from India?

Question

I can't believe the number of questions posted here asking for specific time tables and station stops for the Indian National Railroad. Why don't the (Eastern) Indians get a schedule from a local rail station, ask a station master their questions, or get on-line to the railroad's web site?

Answer 1

India has the most extensive system of railways on the planet. The Yanks and the Chinese can claim but we own it. The country's railway network is so vast that with one state there may as many as 300 to 400 station ( at a guess). Also the railways are all maintained by the government, so bureaucracy and corruption are rife. So it is easier to ask people questions on this web page to get real answers as opposed to the analogous information posted by the Railways Corporation. Finally the Railways Minister in India is the biggest crook on the planet Laloo Prasad Yadav, and i personally think he should be shot.

Answer 2

I agree with you. But the answer is quite simple: don't bother reading these questions!

Answer 3

One option is to opt for USA questions only, but then that limits the scope as it blocks out all questions originating overseas.

For myself, I think it is time to sub-divide the rail category.  For example, "Operations, History , Technical"  and "Reservations, Schedules and Fares".  

Another alternative would be to make the latter a part of the "Travel" category.

It makes one wonder, however, that if one can operate the computer, why they are asking their questions here instead of the appropriate website of the carriers they want to travel on.

Answer 4

Interested to see what Krishnan has replied, but having looked at the  Indian Railways site I don't see that it is that difficult to get much, if not all, of the information requested from there - and the usual response is to look there anyway. I agree the number of questions is a tad irritating and a sign, IMHO, of laziness on the part of those that ask - the question should only be posted here, if they can't find the answer elsewhere.

I agree with Hoghead - except that being from UK, don't want to block to USA questions only! There should be a way of Yahoo redirecting the questions on bookings etc. to Travel, which is the appropraite part of this site.