22 July 2022 09:21 am Views - 185
By Chaturanga Samarawickrama
Despite the gazette notification issued by the government to increase train fares from tonight, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) threatened the Railway’s Department that they will take action to transport people without issuing tickets if ticket prices increase.
Addressing the media, the union said that increasing train fares at this time is not recommended. If the Railways General Manager (GMR) does not listen to unions, we will take action jointly with other railway trade unions. “There is an increase in the railway revenue as there is an increase in people using the service for their public transport. We do not want to make people uncomfortable,” they said.
Even though the gazette notification was issued by the government considering the service essential, we will take the necessary decisions on behalf of the people. We do not take action for personal gain. We will not hesitate to engage in trade union action without inconveniencing the people. However, if the train fares are increased, we will transport people without tickets,’ the union said.
The Station Masters’ Union claimed that they were unable to change the ticket prices on a single night, and it was impossible to implement such a sudden decision. “This is not practical.” The Station Masters cannot change the prices of the train tickets at the train stations around the country.