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.