For the commuters who travel between Salem and Attur and beyond every day the Salem-Vridhachalam passenger train has come as a boon especially at the time of steep hike in bus fares.
The train that leaves Salem at 8.30 a.m. transports hundreds of commuters, mainly office-goers and students of various educational institutions located at various places in Salem-Attur-Kallakurichi sector. On the return, its pair reaches Salem around 9 p.m.
When the train was introduced some two years back on the newly-laid broad gauge track, it transported only long distance passengers and those who travelled with families. Many of those who commuted had preferred buses since they had to go to railway junction and town station to board this train. It also on many occasions ran late. But after a steep 68 per cent increase in bus fares, many have started travelling in the train to Attur, Talavasal and Kallakurichi. “I used to travel in private buses which used to take us within an hour or so to Attur. But after the hike of bus fares, we have preferred the train, which we find very convenient,” says Rajan, a private firm employee who commutes daily to Attur from Salem.
The bus fare to Attur, some 60 km. away from Salem was Rs 19. But today it has shot up to Rs. 33 for one-way ticket whereas the train fare is a mere Rs 8. This across the board hike has discouraged many, particularly daily commuters to travel in buses. Besides the frequent road accidents on the National Highways between Salem and Attur has also played a deterrent role on road travellers.
“The inordinate delay in completing the four-lane National Highways between Salem and Attur is another major reason for many to prefer train journey in this sector. The road looks battered with craters and potholes and fatal accidents have become common on this stretch. We for safety prefer train journey,” says an assistant working in a government office at Attur.
Many urge the Salem Railway Division to increase the number of bogies in the train so that passengers can have a comfortable travel. “A shuttle between Salem and Attur will immensely benefit the people of that region,” says another passenger.
The train that leaves Salem at 8.30 a.m. transports hundreds of commuters, mainly office-goers and students of various educational institutions located at various places in Salem-Attur-Kallakurichi sector. On the return, its pair reaches Salem around 9 p.m.
When the train was introduced some two years back on the newly-laid broad gauge track, it transported only long distance passengers and those who travelled with families. Many of those who commuted had preferred buses since they had to go to railway junction and town station to board this train. It also on many occasions ran late. But after a steep 68 per cent increase in bus fares, many have started travelling in the train to Attur, Talavasal and Kallakurichi. “I used to travel in private buses which used to take us within an hour or so to Attur. But after the hike of bus fares, we have preferred the train, which we find very convenient,” says Rajan, a private firm employee who commutes daily to Attur from Salem.
The bus fare to Attur, some 60 km. away from Salem was Rs 19. But today it has shot up to Rs. 33 for one-way ticket whereas the train fare is a mere Rs 8. This across the board hike has discouraged many, particularly daily commuters to travel in buses. Besides the frequent road accidents on the National Highways between Salem and Attur has also played a deterrent role on road travellers.
“The inordinate delay in completing the four-lane National Highways between Salem and Attur is another major reason for many to prefer train journey in this sector. The road looks battered with craters and potholes and fatal accidents have become common on this stretch. We for safety prefer train journey,” says an assistant working in a government office at Attur.
Many urge the Salem Railway Division to increase the number of bogies in the train so that passengers can have a comfortable travel. “A shuttle between Salem and Attur will immensely benefit the people of that region,” says another passenger.
