MADURAI: Passengers are demanding the railways to reschedule the Chennai Central - Madurai Duronto Biweekly Express trains as it runs with a considerable number of vacant seats and berths.
During the recently concluded Passenger and Customer Facilitation Fortnight events, popular talk show orator and TV personality S Raja pointed out the need to reschedule the train.
The non-stop train leaves Chennai Central at 10.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and reaches Madurai at 7.10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In the return direction, it leaves Madurai at 10.45pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and reaches Chennai Central at 7.15am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The train fare is Rs 1,030 for AC three-tier, Rs 1,440 for AC two-tier and Rs 2,425 for first class AC travel.
"It is one of the best trains to travel without any disturbance and quite affordable but the vacant berths is the real concern. Last time when I travelled in the 1A coach, I was the lonely passenger. The TTE asked me if I was scared of being alone in the coach and was willing to shift me to another coach," said the orator known for his lighter anecdotes.
Raja said if railway authorities operated the train on weekends, it would benefit several passengers.
Inaugurated in 2012, Duronto hasn't got good patronage from passengers.
Former divisional rail user consultative committee member and president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Ltd S P Jeyapragasam claimed that many rail users were not even aware about the train.
"There is fear among rail users' forums that Madurai may lose a good train due to lack of patronage. In fact, we suggest operating it on all days especially weekends," he said.
Sources in the commercial department said that the train would attract more passengers if it ran on the Madurai - Chennai Egmore route. At present, it takes the circuitous Karur - Namakkal - Salem route since it has to be operated non-stop and single track in chord line is greater impediment.
"Unfortunately, people from our region people feel more comfortable when trains are operated to Chennai Egmore though Central is close by", a commercial staff said.
Railway officials said that the suggestions collected from passengers during the fortnight drive will be sent to the railway ministry for further perusal.
During the recently concluded Passenger and Customer Facilitation Fortnight events, popular talk show orator and TV personality S Raja pointed out the need to reschedule the train.
The non-stop train leaves Chennai Central at 10.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and reaches Madurai at 7.10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In the return direction, it leaves Madurai at 10.45pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and reaches Chennai Central at 7.15am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The train fare is Rs 1,030 for AC three-tier, Rs 1,440 for AC two-tier and Rs 2,425 for first class AC travel.
"It is one of the best trains to travel without any disturbance and quite affordable but the vacant berths is the real concern. Last time when I travelled in the 1A coach, I was the lonely passenger. The TTE asked me if I was scared of being alone in the coach and was willing to shift me to another coach," said the orator known for his lighter anecdotes.
Raja said if railway authorities operated the train on weekends, it would benefit several passengers.
Inaugurated in 2012, Duronto hasn't got good patronage from passengers.
Former divisional rail user consultative committee member and president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Ltd S P Jeyapragasam claimed that many rail users were not even aware about the train.
"There is fear among rail users' forums that Madurai may lose a good train due to lack of patronage. In fact, we suggest operating it on all days especially weekends," he said.
Sources in the commercial department said that the train would attract more passengers if it ran on the Madurai - Chennai Egmore route. At present, it takes the circuitous Karur - Namakkal - Salem route since it has to be operated non-stop and single track in chord line is greater impediment.
"Unfortunately, people from our region people feel more comfortable when trains are operated to Chennai Egmore though Central is close by", a commercial staff said.
Railway officials said that the suggestions collected from passengers during the fortnight drive will be sent to the railway ministry for further perusal.
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