New train times ignore private sector employees

COLOMBO: A large number of private sector employees are in a quandary and they alleged that they have been completely ignored by the Railway Department in formulating the new Railway time tables.

The new time tables have been centered round the new public service office hours of 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. and this has resulted in private sector employees wasting time at railway stations to catch trains after office in the evenings they have complained.

The total number of private sector employees far exceeded the total number of public servants and most private sector offices close for the day at 5 p.m. Although several trains operated between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. private sector employees signing off at 5 p.m. have to wait till 5.45 p.m. to board a train home.

The number of trains operating in the morning are far inadequate and as such most trains are crowded with passengers overflowing into the railway guards compartments and even the roofs and the railway engines.