As it turns out it doesn’t actually cost that much on regular transit, there’s an AIRPORT SURCHARGE because it’s an “airport train”.
No wonder Americans don’t use public transit, even when the system exists it’s ridiculously difficult and expensive to use.
The berths on Indian trains don’t have linens. Sounds like you’re complaining about the rich people cars.
Overcrowding is only an issue if you didn’t book a berth. That is one issue I see with the trains in India. They need to rebuild the website to be more like redbus.
I’m from here and I ride the trains up and down the length of the country fairly often, usually in sleeper class. Every class from Sleeper (SL) and up has linens – sometimes they’re hard to find or just not supplied, but they’re there.
Overcrowding is an issue regardless of whether you have or haven’t gotten a confirmed berth, because folks with unreserved tickets will also come crowding in (because they have to get where they’re going and there simply aren’t enough trains to satisfy demand) and you end up having to share your space with them even if you have a reserved seat. It’s exponentially worse in the sleeper/general (sitting) cars but it happens everywhere on the train. I’ve shared my space with them and I’ve been them. It’s not a pretty sight or a good experience for anyone involved.