60 per cent rise in Railway income
The Railways Department has recorded a 60 per cent increase in its daily income consequent to the recent train fare hike, General Manager of Railways Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said.
Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday he said although the increase in the turnover was noteworthy, it was inadequate to cover up the annual loss incurred by the Department which is 300 per cent.
Calling the recent fare hike as a step which was necessary to ensure the survival of the island’s train service since 1997 when the mistake of not increasing train fares along with bus fares was first committed, the GMR pointed out that even at present taking the train was cheaper.
“Prior to 1997, train fares were higher than bus fares. But in the following 11 years this situation has turned opposite, which is why while buses charge commuters 85 cents per passenger kilometre the Railways charges them a mere 49 cents for the same distance. Do not forget that the Railways has to maintain the track, bridges and signal systems whereas the bus industry is absolved of any such responsibility,” he said.
Dr. Gunaruwan pointed out that despite the fare increase, the Department continues to provide a Rs.150 million concession for railway season ticket holders each month, since private sector employees, public servants, students and Department employees are charged only 40, 15, 10 and 5 per cent of the gross monthly fare.
“Out of the 860,000 public and private sector employees in Sri Lanka, only 100,000 use the train service.
However, the remaining 760,000 who use other modes of transport also have to pay to provide this concession to the 100,000 who are train commuters,” he said.
by Rajmi MANATUNGA
Source: Dailynews
