Poor service discourages train journey

19 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Compared to global standards, the railway service in Bangladesh is very poor and it is even poorer in its eastern zone, although people prefer travelling by train. “We don't mind paying higher fares for train services because we find travelling by train safer than using the road. The government should pay more attention to the railway sector for making its service more comfortable than journey by bus,” said Ferdous Sharif Johnny, a regular train passenger of Kuliuar Char in Kishoreganj. In Bangladesh, he said, using road transport is riskier, but it is safe in train although the ride might be longer than bus. “Modernising the railway service will not only ensure passengers' comfort but also help the government earn more in revenue,” said Sharif told UNB. While going back home in a Bhairab-bound train from Dhaka, Mujibur, a Bangladeshi expatriate living in Singapore, said: “Most people prefer journey by train. I also prefer the train journey as it is safer than bus.” Sarwar Alam, a National University student living in Dhaka, said the number of coaches on trains should be increased as the number of passengers, especially in the eastern zone, has doubled in recent times. “I always go home by Egara Sindur inter-city train which carries more passengers than its capacity. Most passengers board the train with 'standing tickets' due to shortage of seats,” he said. Some passengers alleged that the trains in the Railway's eastern zone take too much time to reach their destinations as they make unscheduled halts in various crossings for negligence of the local masters (LMs) and assistant local masters (ALMs), to drop passengers, which they do for bribes. When contacted a senior railway official said, “Trains should maintain time to attract more passengers and the controllers should discharge their duties sincerely and honestly to make that happen.” He said the train services could be developed by increasing the number of locomotives, coaches and manpower, maintaining time and operating some local trains in the “vacated times” among some strategic stations. “Local trains lag behind in delivering the desired service due to negligence of the controllers,” said a railway signal engineer preferring anonymity.