New Delhi: In a move aimed at improving the poor perception of ticket checking staff popularly known as Travelling Ticket Examiners (TTEs) among the general public, Chairman Railways Board (CRB) has directed all Zonal Managers to communicate with TTEs by conducting communication drives in their respective zones.
According to a letter written to all Zonal Managers, the CRB has directed zonal heads to immediately launch a drive to contact ticket checking staff for personal interaction.
The officers belonging to the levels of chief commercial managers, senior assistant grade officers, junior assistant grade commercial officers posted at headquarters, DRMs, ADRMs and SrDCMs/DCMs of the divisions have been identified for the interaction drive Samvad.
"Since TTEs form the vital front-end interface with passengers and performs versatile functions in the course of discharging their responsibilities, continuous and meaningful interaction between the railway administration and ticket staff is essential to boost their morale," the letter said.
According to senior officials in the ministry, the Samvad drive has been initiated to put right the poor perception of TTEs in particular and Railways in general as lots of complaints being received about wrongful activities of TTEs.
As the duties performed by ticket checking staff are important not only from the revenue point of view but also in shaping the general public perception and image of the Railways, the CRB aims to address the grievances of front liner staff.
During the direct interaction, the TTEs would be pampered by the Railways administration by giving a positive impression that ticket checking staff is the most important interface between Railways and the general public.
The zonal heads have also been directed to make every effort to redress their personal grievances by looking into their personal problems pertaining to their service matters.
Besides, the letter also stated that a drive would be launched to improve the working conditions of TTEs' lobbies and their restrooms.
The objective of the Samvad interaction is to establish the belief that if a staff is confident of support from the administration utilising his/her services, the level of output given will certainly improve manifold.
The zonal heads have also been directed to submit the detailed report soon after the completion of Samvad with details of various steps taken by them.