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Commuters
shift to train following bus fare hike
By
Shezna Shums
Last
week's increase in bus fares has forced suburban commuters to shift
to train transportation for their short distance travelling within
the Western Province.
While
this increase has forced people to take advantage of rail
transportation, the outstation railway stations have recorded a
minimal increase in the number of passengers.
While
train fares have not been increased bus fares have been increasing
constantly due to the increase in fuel prices.
When
The Sunday Leader contacted station masters of the railway stations
from around the island, they confirmed that in areas such as
Moratuwa, Ragama, Seeduwa, Angulana, and Kelaniya, daily passengers
travelling by train had increased by about 25%.
Station
Master (Operations), Moratuwa Railway Station, D. Jayasuriya said
there was an increase of 25% in the daily commuters at the Moratuwa
railway station. "We can see a significant increase," he
said.
Station
Master, Angulana, Yassasari Kulasuriya said there has been an
increase of at least 10% of daily passengers, while officials from
the Seeduwa railway station said they recorded an increase in
passengers using the Rs. 3 and Rs. 4 tickets.
Stations
in Mount Lavinia and Kelaniya also confirmed an increase in the
number of passengers.
Station
Master for Ragama, K.G.D. Nandasena said there is relative increase
in the number of passengers but it is still too early to say how
much the bus fares have affected passenger numbers.
The
increase of passengers constitutes the daily rail ticket buyers.
Speaking
to The Sunday Leader, Station Masters of Gampaha, Kandy, Matara,
Negombo and Badulla said while some stations have recorded a minimal
rise in passengers, other stations did not note an increase in the
number of passengers.
Station
Master, Kandy, Y. Bandara also confirmed there had been a slight
increase in passengers travelling by train. "Many of the
passengers are still unaware of the increase in the price of the bus
tickets," he said.
The
Station Master, Matara, noted there has not been much of a change in
the number of railway passengers, adding it is still too early to
tell.
Station
Masters of Negombo and Badulla railway stations said there has not
been a significant increase in the number of train passengers.
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