Date:22/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/22/stories/2007092250380100.htm

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Run Tiruchi-Mayiladuturai express train as fast passenger: travellers

Syed Muthahar Saqaf

It runs for a short distance of 120 km
With lesser fare, patronage will be more

TIRUCHI: People in the central districts expect the railways to re-designate the recently introduced Tiruchi-Mayiladuturai express train as ‘fast passenger’ to ensure more patronage and optimum utilisation of passenger capacity.

The introduction of the new express train was announced in the Railway budget and the train was flagged off with much fanfare last month. It stops at Kutralam, Aduthurai, Kumbakonam, Papanasam and Thanjavur stations en route.

A cross-section of passengers feels that there is no need for an express train for a short distance of 120 km. Moreover, the train is either preceded or followed by passenger trains.

It leaves Mayiladuturai at 8 a.m.; Kumbakonam at 8.42 a.m. and Thanjavur at 9.30 a.m. The Kumbakonam-Thanjavur Passenger (No. 125) leaves Kumbakonam at 8 a.m. and reaches Thanjavur at 9.15 a.m. Another passenger train (No. 871) from Tiruvarur to Tiruchi leaves Thanjavur at 10 a.m. and reaches Tiruchi at 11.20 a.m.

In the return direction, the train leaves Tiruchi at 1.05 p.m. It is closely followed by the Tirunelveli-Mayiladuturai passenger train, which leaves Tiruchi at 1.25 p.m. While the express reaches Mayiladuturai at 3.45 p.m., the passenger train reaches 45 minutes later.

There is every possibility of commuters preferring the passenger train to the express owing to the fare structure. While the ticket fares from Tiruchi to Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayiladuturai in the express train are Rs. 24, Rs. 33 and Rs. 41 respectively, the corresponding fares for the passenger train are Rs. 10, Rs. 17 and Rs. 21.

With the fare being less, people will prefer passenger trains, according to T. Deepa, a school teacher of Mayiladuturai.

People also feel that since the express train halts at small stations such as Kuttalam, Papanasam and Aduthurai, it is not proper for the railways to collect express fare. The railways should re-designate the train as fast passenger with halts at Budalur and Tiruverumbur stations too. Such a step will benefit passengers besides ensuring good patronage, says N. Babu, a commuter.