Title - Train service on Salem – Karur sector receives good patronage

Salem: The inaugural passenger train service on Salem – Karur sector received good patronage on Monday.

Though 138 tickets were issued in Salem – Karur service and 235 tickets in Karur – Salem service, railway officials said that more passengers boarded at the intermediate stations and the train ran to its full capacity in both the services.

The officials said that the patronage could be more in coming days after the reopening of educational institutions as season tickets would also be made available for regular travellers. “Travelling to the intermediate stations is still a problem and if the issue is solved the patronage will increase tremendously,” they added.

A few passengers said that non-availability of two-wheeler parking stands in the stations and poor bus connectivity from the main roads to the stations are a concern and wanted the railway officials and transport department to sort out the issue. “Once regular connectivity is ensured, more people will depend on trains,” they added.

Currently, it serves as a connecting train for Yercaud Express, both in morning and evening hours. Salem Divisional Railway Office has requested the Railway Board to divert the newly announced Bangalore – Nagarcoil express through the new sector.