New train fares from Dec. 1
Train fares will be reduced from December 1st, in keeping with the government’s policy of passing the benefit of fuel price reductions to the commuters, Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said yesterday.
“The reductions will not apply to fares below Rs. 15.00. Long distance train commuters will benefit from the fare reductions,” Mr. Alahapperuma told Daily Mirror.
For instance, the third class fare from Colombo Fort to Gampaha will be reduced from Rs. 30 to Rs. 25, the fare from Colombo to Kalutara will come down from Rs. 45 to Rs. 40, Colombo to Bandarawela from Rs. 210 to Rs.185, Colombo to Batticaloa from 270 to Rs. 230, and Colombo to Anuradhapura from Rs. 175 to Rs. 160.
Explaining the new fare structure, Mr. Alahapperuma said the first class fare for the first 10 kilometres would be Rs 3.60 per kilometre; the second class fare Rs. 2.00 per kilometer, and the third class fare Rs. 1.10 per kilometer for trips of 200 kilometres or less. For distances of more than 200 kilometres, the corresponding rates would be Rs. 1.60,Rs 0. 90 and Rs. 0.50 cents.
The season ticket charges would also be reduced by 6 to 17%. The Sri Lanka Railways would suffer a loss of Rs. 300 million a year due to the fare reductions, he said.
The department will launch a new intercity train service between Colombo and Nanu-Oya on December 1st. The train will leave Colombo Fort at 8.30 am and reach Nanu-Oya at 2.14 pm. On its return journey it will leave Nanu Oya at 3.20 pm and reach Colombo at 9.00 pm.
By Sandun A Jayasekera
Source : Daily Mirror
