Read Mr.Fowzie, we are train commuters

by Lionel Yodhasinghe

The sudden cancellation of routine office trains and making express trains run 'slow' by railway authorities at the Fort Railway station has driven the weary office workers into crossroads.

The Station, last Tuesday, a public holiday too, attracted unexpected crowd after heavy showers in the city in the evening.

All office trains, Northward tracks were delayed as usual. When the Kandy express train left 40 minutes delayed, it was announced that the Mahawa express train was cancelled.

Then came the Rambukkana express train on flatform No.3. When the railway authorities rescheduled it to operate slow, apart from its routine commuters, thousands of panicked travellers expecting the Mahawa train also got into the Rambukkana bound train. It is needless to explain the agony of the commuters inside, with an overcapacity of 6000 commuters.

Before the Rambukkana train left the Station, another 'slow' train bound to Ambepusse arrived on flatform no.4, and nobody was interested to travel in it as many passengers already kicking their heels, braving the chilled weather.

Even breathing inside the compartment was difficult until a quarter of the packed crowd got off at Ganemulla.

Later, the train arrived at Gampaha and stopped on platform No.3 to give way for another train.

With much surprise to the passengers, the Mahawa, that was announced as cancelled earlier, arrived at Gampaha sans passengers. Passengers said that was how certain railway officials demonstrate their efficiency.

The episode was nothing but revenge on the poor commuters as some officials made pleasure out of one's agony. Many were heard saying that such measures discredited the Government and the Minister as people pass judgements on them. Why wouldn't authorities schedule several express trains at least upto Gampaha and force suburb-dwellers to use slow trains.

(There are several slow trains after these two express trains)

When express trains are turned 'slow' in a sudden, with other unavoidable delays on the lines, the long distant commuters miss connecting transport, and get stranded.

Or else he or she is compelled to spend an extra few bucks to hire a three wheeler.

Those who cannot afford so, should walk several miles in the dark, braving rain and other deadly evils.

Can one predict the impediments before a woman commuter stranded at that deadly hour of the day? Well, only Mr.Fowzie can correct this situation, commuters said.