5,710 train delays due to strikes last year: Railways Dept.

A total of 5,710 train delays have occurred due to strike actions taken by trade unions last year, a report issued to the Transport Minister by the Railways Department said.

According to the report, a total of 9,718 train delays had occurred during the last year.

The report was issued by the Railways Department following a request made by Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera due to the increased number of complaints received from the people over frequent train delays.

Running out of train engines and compartments, engine technical failures, not having enough engine drivers and driver assistants, signal failures, bad weather, rail track maintenance and trade union actions were mentioned as causes for train delays in the report.  

According to the report, 1,495 trains delayed due to not having enough train engines and 435 delays occurred due to not having compartments.

A total of 164 train delays occurred due to not having enough engine drivers while 108 delays occurred due to derailments.

Meanwhile, 250 trains delayed owing to special train assign announcements and 103 due to engine troubles.

The report said 28 incidents occurred because of not having train guards and 25 due to train engine technical failures; 91 delays due to not having enough commuters, 51 delays due to signal failures, 32 delays due to bad weather and 318 delays due to other reasons.  

After considering the report, Minister Amaraweera said it is the responsibility of the Railways Department to provide a continuous service to the commuters.

He also said the most important thing about public transport was the train service. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)