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Engine drivers’ go-slow signals frustration for rail commuters
View(s):The ongoing ‘Work-to-Rule’ campaign by railway locomotive drivers is set to affect hundreds of thousands of commuters during the forthcoming Vesak holidays, as a solution to the simmering crisis is yet to be reached, trade unionists warned yesterday.
Train drivers silently backed by other railway staff, kept up their trade union action this whole week, inconveniencing thousands of rail commuters.
The ‘Work-to-Rule’ campaign is in protest over the interdiction of four drivers due to twin train mishaps within a week at Potuhera in Kurunegala and Aluthgama.
Train drivers are strictly adhering to the speed limits. In this case 15 kmph
At least 70 persons were injured when a north-bound express rammed head on into a Colombo-bound parked train at Potuhera Railway Station on Tuesday last week.
In the second incident a Colombo-bound oil train rammed into the rear of a parked power set at Alutgama in the early hours of the morning.
Locomotive Operating Engineers Union (LOEU) General Secretary, K.A.U. Konthasingha told the Sunday Times that the mishaps were largely due to a poor signal system that will have to be rectified at the very earliest to ensure the safety of train crews and commuters alike.
He said that, towards this end, the relevant authorities should install a 24-hour GPRS tracking system to monitor train movements, and upgrade the present century-old signal systems.
He said that most drivers had lost faith in the signals, and therefore, they were compelled to take precautions such as travelling at reduced speed so that the brakes could be applied effectively in case of an emergency.
“These methods have naturally infuriated many passengers, but there is no other way out, as safety for all is paramount and train travellers should be aware of this.”
“How could we operate a train with signals that can no longer be relied upon, as commuter safety is the responsibility of the train crew?” Mr Konthasingha asked.
He said that discussions were held with Deputy Minister of Transport Rohana Disanayaka earlier this week, who responded positively,
The Police Vesak Bhakthi Gee Programme was held at the Police grounds yesterday. Pic by Indika Handuwala.
but the drivers are demanding immediate action, if they are to call off the present trade union action and get the train service back on track.
Stranded commuters: Fort Station Colombo yesterday. Pix by M.D. Nissanka
He added that, the accidents at Potuhera and Alutgama, were due to poor signal systems, but authorities had opted to look elsewhere and interdicted the drivers, train guards and station masters even before conducting an inquiry.
He also said that the committees set up to investigate the recent railway mishaps will, at the end of the day, blame the train crew and other support staff, while ignoring the real issues, such as the faulty signal systems.
“At the end, the true situation will not be made known to the public, and commuters will direct their ire at the train crew, as was the case this week, when two drivers were manhandled by irate passengers angered by the slow speed maintained by the trains” Mr Konthasingha said.
Two railway drivers were roughed up by irate commuters in separate incidents at Polgahawela and Katunayake on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, this week.
Meanwhile, a spokesman at Railway Control said that, trains were not cancelled on any sector, but warned of delays owing to the go-slow campaign by the drivers.