Delhi Metro to introduce customer service agents

The Delhi Metro Rail (DMRC) is creating a special cadre of employees trained in spoken English and communication skills who will be posted at Metro stations to greet and respond quickly to travellers inquiries and suggestions.

This is primarily aimed at the large number of foriegners expected during the Commonwealth Games; but we hope they will stay on.

Tags: delhi travel

A new fee on air travel….

From the 1st of November, air travellers in India will pay an additional transaction fee - Indian travel agents and airlines have mutually decided to add a transaction fee for air tickets issued from the 1st of November, according to the Economic Times.

It would be a minimum of INR350 for domestic and maximum of INR10,000 for international tickets according to the report.

What we don’t know is who gets the money? Is this a substitute for the commissions which used to be paid to travel agencies?

Tags: air travel india, travel news

Airport lounge not just for frequent fliers

The relatively new concept at Indian airports can be experienced at the new Hyderabad airport - The Plaza premium lounge covering an area of 7,000 sq. ft. will have 28 rooms, toilet and shower area, meeting room, bar, business center, library, massage centre and a restaurant.

According to the Travelbiz Monitor, this will, however, be a paid lounge unlike other airport lounges in India which are restricted to the business class passengers or frequent fliers. It can accommodate 150 people at a time and will also have slumber rooms, which will be rented out in slots of different time spans. Initially the slots will be of four hours and will be subsequently increased to eight, 12 and 24 hour slots.

Reminds me slightly of the Japanese budget hotel concept - capsule hotels. I am sure this will be different but the concept I must say has some similarities. Will be great to hear from travellers who have had the chance to experience it.

Tags: airports, india travel, lounges