brand logo

Station Masters oppose train fare hike 

17 Mar 2022

  • Suggest alternative ways of increasing Railways Dept. revenue 
BY Buddhika Samaraweera  The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has stated that the decision taken by the Government and the Railways Department to increase train fares cannot be approved as there are a number of other ways to increase the revenue of the department. Speaking to The Morning, SLRSMU General Secretary Kasun Chamara said that if the revenue of the department is to be increased in the face of rising fuel prices, there are a number of steps that can be taken instead of increasing train fares. Claiming that a monthly income of Rs. 20 million is being earned through the leasing of lands belonging to the Bandarawela Railway Station at present, he stated that likewise, a large income could be earned by leasing lands belonging to the department under a proper system. “Many lands belonging to the department have been illegally occupied by various individuals and the lease agreements of some lands have not been updated for a long time. In addition, the collection of taxes has not been done properly. If these issues can be solved and the lands belonging to the department can be leased under a proper system, a large income can be earned.”  Speaking further, Chamara said that in the face of the freight transport sector seeing a certain decline due to the current fuel crisis, a large amount of revenue could be generated by developing a programme to promote freight transport by trains. He said that although there were proposals to transport goods by train between dedicated economic centres, those plans have not yet been implemented. He added: “Employees of some divisions and sections within the Railways Department are currently receiving overtime (OT) payments in an irregular manner, which has come at a high cost. If the department takes steps to stop such irregular payments, there will be no need to increase train fares.”  Chamara charged that Railways Department General Manager Dammika Jayasundara has requested the Transport Ministry to increase train fares without implementing these methods that would significantly increase the revenue of the department. He noted that the increase in train fares is unacceptable especially in the face of the current economic crisis and the rising prices of many goods and services. Following the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) having hiked the prices of fuel including that of diesel, Cabinet of Ministers’ approval has been granted to increase train fares. Commenting on the matter, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama noted that the current train fare is less than one-third of the bus fare for the relevant distance, as the train services are provided at very concessionary rates. Accordingly, he said that the ministry has decided to increase the train fares to the lowest rate possible.


More News..