Use railways for bulk of freight transport - Expert
by Dhaneshi YATAWARA
Research by the University of Colombo Economics Department has
revealed that the affordable and widespread mobility solutions provided
by the State-run public transport services during the past 50 years have
greatly contributed to the high quality of life indices of Sri Lanka
despite the low income levels of the majority of people.
Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan of the Economics Department of the
University of Colombo told the Sunday Observer that the Ceylon Transport
Board has had a significant bearing over the physical quality of life
indices in Sri Lanka than the health or education services, which were
commonly believed to be behind Sri Lanka's post-Independence success.
Commenting on the fuel intensity of different modes of land transport
calculated in 2012, Dr. Gunaruwan said that even the most combustion
efficient car would be more polluting than a train.
According to his explanation, a four-seater private car would run 10
kilometres per litre of petrol. A 12-seater private van would run eight
kilometres per litre of diesel. For a public bus, it would cost only
three rupees per kilometre of diesel. "The lowest cost would be with
railway transportation. A train with 12 compartments will consume 2.5
litres of diesel per 1,000 people," he said.
"This shows the sustainability impetus that could be sought through
promotion of public transport modes," he added, explaining that it is
time to promote vehicular types with greater scale economies, reducing
per passenger fuel intensity in transport. "This is the only way we can
earn a social, economical and environmental sustainable development.
Without the adequate mobility of people and goods development cannot be
achieved," he said.
Only less than one percent of the freight market is currently catered
to by the railway, Dr. Gunaruwan explained. "The Government should use
the railway on a priority basis to transport public supplies and
commodities such as petroleum, fertiliser and wheat flour and other
essential services should be directed to use railways wherever possible,
and use the roads only when that is not possible or practicable," he
added.
He highlighted the need to increase the speed of rail operations to
reduce travel time and the expansion of suburban corridors will be
needed to exploit the comparative advantage of railways. "Railways has a
comparative advantage in long distance passenger transportation and
suburban commuting.
However, with the advent of road express ways, the permissible speeds
on railway tracks need urgent upgrading to effectively compete in long
distance travel," he explained.
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