Railways' complaint-avoidance strategy traps passengers, prompts criticism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Passengers traveling on trains between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Petta stations have raised concerns about being stranded during the buffer time period resulting in inconvenience and delays for those disembarking at the final destination. The buffer time, implemented by railways to prevent complaints about train delays has drawn criticism for its adverse effects on passenger experience.

Complaints have surfaced regarding trains halting between these stations, preventing passengers destined for Thiruvananthapuram Central from alighting at the adjacent Petta station. The railway's stance defends the buffer time, highlighting its necessity to mitigate unexpected delays due to technical issues or other unforeseen circumstances.

However, passengers' associations argue that this practice disproportionately affects those disembarking at the final station, as punctuality is only measured between the starting and ending stations, disregarding intermediate stops.

Railway officials assert that altering this policy requires intervention at the level of the Railway Board or demands from government representatives. They emphasize that enabling a halt at Petta during buffer time necessitates specific directives.

The buffer time concept incorporates maintenance, extended stop durations, speed regulation, and platform-related delays. However, passenger advocates advocate for a reduction in buffer time, especially for shorter-distance Kerala-bound trains, considering infrastructural improvements like lane doubling and enhanced speeds.

Questioning the rationale behind allocating an hour-long buffer for trains traversing shorter distances within Kerala, critics highlight the discrepancy in buffer time allocation, such as that given to the New Delhi-Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Express, spanning a 3,000 km route.