Several rail passenger associations have raised objections over the classification of the Arakkonam–Jolarpettai train (No 16085) as an express train. According to these associations, the train does not meet the eligibility criteria set by the Railway Board for being classified as an express train and yet, passengers are charged express services’ fee of Rs 30. These fares are particularly expensive for daily wage earners and small vendors who frequent the service.
TNM has previously reported on this issue in August 2024, but the situation remains unchanged.
In June 2020, the Railway Board, through a directive, had reclassified several trains covering over 200 km as express services and reduced the number of halts for these trains. However, train No 16085 only covers a distance of 146 km between Arakkonam and Jolarpettai and does not meet this criteria. The train also stops at 16 out of 24 stations on its route. Express trains however only make limited stops at important stations.
G Kumar, Deputy General Secretary of the Arakkonam Rail Passengers Association, told TNM, “This train has been charging express fares for ten years now, and we have repeatedly raised this issue with railway authorities.”
He argued that the train should be reclassified as a fast passenger service, which would bring down the ticket fare from Rs 30 to Rs 20. “In these 10 years, we have been writing to Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) about this issue, but there has been no action. We are not alone, several other associations are also petitioning against this,” Kumar added.
A passenger who commutes in this train said, “There are 175-200 villages around Arakkonam, Sholinghur. Most commuters are daily wage workers and small vendors. This price fare affects them most.”
Reacting to this issue, a railway official told TNM, “Suburban services for Chennai end at Arakkonam and hence this train is considered an express. The Tejas Express and the Pandian Express are also considered express trains.The difference between the Tejas and Pandian Expresses and train No 16085 is only in the number of stations that they halt at.”
It may be noted that the Tejas Express, from Chennai to Madurai, only stops at six of the 88 stations on its route. Similarly, the Pandian Express from Chennai to Madurai stops only at 10 of 85 stations on its route.
Speaking to TNM, Kumar dismissed the official’s justification and said, “Many local trains that go beyond Arakkonam towards Tiruttani charge a nominal fare.”