Tuesday 15 October 2013

Late Running of Trains

Points: Late running of trains a nuisance — Time-table to be followed strictly — Causes of late running should be rectified.

            Late running of trains is a nuisance. If anywhere punctuality is essential, it is in the railways. All trains should depart and arrive on right times, otherwise the time-table will be a mockery. Late running of trains means late arrivals. Suppose a train which was to arrive in the evening arrives at midnight. The harassment of the passengers can be easily imagined.
            The time-table should be fixed after trial runs. Sufficient allowance should be given for possible delay or slowness. But once a timetable is finalized, the trains must maintain the timing. Strict discipline has to be imposed in this matter. If late running of trains be tolerated we will allow all kinds of slackness in other fields also.
            The causes of the late running of trains should be ascertained. In many suburban sections there are no double lines. As a result, an up train has to be detained for ‘crossing’ till a down train arrives there. The trains carrying commuters to office get priority over other trains. Then the vacuum chain is pulled very often on flimsy grounds. This halts a train and causes delay. Failure of electricity, defective signals and other mechanical faults are also responsible for late running of rains. These should be looked into carefully and remedied.