A smart card for easy train travel and an e-ticketing system for seat reservation in trains are to be introduced by the Passenger Transport Management Ministry soon.
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has submitted a Cabinet memorandum seeking its approval for the introduction of these two facilities.
A media release issued by the Passenger Transport Management Ministry said there seems to be a large racket involving the fleecing of local passengers and foreign tourists due to illegal activities carried out by certain persons as regards prior seat reservations in trains. Certain touts involved in this racket are said to be selling long-distance railway tickets far in excess of the normal rate.
For example, a Rs. 1,200 ticket was being sold in the region of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,000. This has made it difficult for even local tourists to book seats in trains.
Minister Amaraweera promised to introduce the smart card and e-ticketing system soon when he visited the Ratmalana Railway Yard on an inspection tour on Monday.
The Ministry release said Minister Amaraweera inspected the compartments being repaired in the yard and the new compartments made of timber, during his inspection tour. The railway workers said the repairs were handled by a private form at present and requested the Minister to enable them to handle the job instead as they were fully competent to handle it by themselves.
Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando accompanied the Minister during the tour.
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