Passengers have demanded that railways reschedule the Chennai Central -Madurai Duronto Express trains

MADURAI: Passengers have demanded that railways reschedule the Chennai Central -Madurai Duronto Express trains as it runs with a considerable number of vacant seats and berths. 

During the recently concluded Passenger and Customer Facilitation Fortnight events, popular talk show orator and TV personality S Raja pointed out the need to reschedule the train. 

The non-stop train leaves Chennai Central at 10.30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and reaches Madurai at 7.10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

In the return direction, it leaves Madurai at 10.45pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and reaches Chennai Central at 7.15am on Wednesdays and Fridays. 

The train fare is Rs 1,030 for 3A, Rs 1,440 2A and Rs 2425 1A class travel. 

"It is one of the best trains to travel without any disturbance and quite affordable but the vacant berths is the real concern. Last time when I travelled in 1A coach, I was the lonely passenger in the coach. The TTE asked me if I was scared of being alone in the coach. He was ready to shift me to another coach," said the orator known for his lighter anecdotes. 

Raja said if railway authorities operated the train on weekends, it would benefit several passengers. 

Inaugurated in 2012, Duronto hasn't got good patronage from passengers. 

Former divisional rail user consultative committee member and president of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Ltd S P Jeyapragasam said many rail users were not even aware about the train. 

"There is general fear among rail users' fora that Madurai division may lose a good train due to the lack of patronage. In fact, we suggest operating it all days especially on weekends," he said. 

Sources in the commercial department said that the train would attract more passengers if it ran on the Madura-Chennai Egmore route. At present, it takes the circuitous Karur - Namakkal - Erode route since it has to be operated non-stop and single track in chord line is greater impediment. 

"Unfortunately, our region people feel more comfortable when trains are operated to Chennai Egmore," a commercial staff member quipped. 

Railway officials said suggestions collected from passengers during the fortnight drive would be sent to the railway ministry for further perusal.