Some passengers on Bengaluru–Chennai Shatabdi Express were on Sunday morning seen using tablet computers — watching movies and browsing e-books on them.
Fifteen tablet computers with preloaded content were provided to the passengers as part of a pilot project on mobile entertainment onboard trains.
The pilot project, launched for the first time in the country on January 9, will continue till Saturday.
While M. Ravi, a software professional, was busy navigating through the content on the tablet computer, Asha Ravichandra, an IT manager, suggested that child-friendly content should be included.
Anil Agarwal, Divisional Railway Manager, South Western Railway, said SWR, based on passenger response, would commercialise the project on a revenue-sharing basis with the private company which provided the tablet computers. Railways had tried the seat-back entertainment options but the project never took off.
Murali B.V., founder of the company, WOIP, said feedback from 100 passengers on monetizing mobile entertainment showed that they were willing to pay Rs. 20 for an hour for using a tablet. Passengers found the tablet less intrusive than TV, and they could choose the content on it, he said.
Some passengers, however, said the Railways should concentrate on issues such as cleanliness.
Another passenger, who chose to identify herself as Ms. Prasad, an NRI from Canada, said providing entertainment was good but should be done after addressing concerns affecting passengers such as cleanliness.
