More flying squad inspectors for railways

By Ananda Kannangara

The Railway Department said an additional batch of 50 flying squad inspectors will be added to the service from January 1 to crackdown on ticketless travellers. The decision to appoint additional flying squad inspectors was taken following complaints received by the Department that a large number of daily travellers are in the habit of travelling without tickets.

Railways, Commercial Superintendent G.W.S. Sisira Kumara told the Sunday Observer that at least one million people travel by trains daily and the present fleet of 150 flying squad inspectors are not sufficient to carry out their duties.

At present over 300 trains have been deployed by the Department to all parts of the country for passenger and goods transport.

Sisira Kumara said "the Department earns approximately Rs. One million a day from train travellers. The Department expects this amount to increase by appointing more flying squad inspectors in the future".

Commenting on the 'Random ticket checking system', implemented by the Department a few months ago on the directive of Transport Minister Kumara Welgama, he said.

"Under the 'Random ticket checking system' flying squad inspectors are given the authority to check tickets of passengers even awaiting to board trains at Railway stations.

The flying squad inspectors also have the authority to carry out random checks on passengers travelling on footboards, he said.