By Sarah Hannan The number of people utilising the train services for their commute is gradually improving, Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) said. SLR General Manager M.J.D. Fernando, speaking to The Morning, said: “The number of commuters using the train service is gradually increasing. Some of the passengers had issues with finding transport to get to the train stations on time in the morning; we were told that since the curfew is lifted at 5 a.m., there were no buses to bring the passengers to the station on time to board the 5.30 a.m. train.” Fernando noted that on Monday (11), there were three commuters who had booked seats to travel to Fort Railway Station from Beliatta. However, only one could make it to the station on time. The other two missed the train as they were unable to get to the station as buses were not operating in their areas of residence at that time. “We have shared our train schedules with the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and have requested them to provide buses on the corresponding routes for commuters to get to train stations on time. On Monday, we only had 990 commuters using the train services, but on Tuesday (12), it improved to 1,300. Hopefully, the numbers will improve in the next few days,” Fernando added. Moreover, Fernando stated that SLR is receiving more inquiries from state and private companies to book seats for their respective employees reporting to work next week. In the meantime, SLR said that it will iron out any shortcomings that take place during this week. Railway stations across the country are providing handwashing facilities to commuters, while their temperatures too are monitored before entering the platform and when disembarking from the trains. Thermal readers have been installed at the entrance and exit of the Fort Railway Station, while in other train stations, commuters’ temperatures are checked via handheld infrared thermometers. Sri Lanka Police and the tri-forces are assisting SLR in ensuring that commuters observe the recommended safety guidelines at all times, and have been deployed not only in passenger rail carriages, but at railway stations too.