Claim of 220 seats in new coach in Venad Express misleading, says ‘Friends on Rails’
The passenger advocacy group 'Friends on Rails' has criticized Southern Railways for claiming that new coaches on the Venad Express increase capacity to 220 passengers. The group argues that the new design actually reduces seating and suggests that the railway's claim implies passengers should sit on luggage racks.
Why it matters
It highlights ongoing infrastructure and public transport management issues, specifically regarding passenger comfort and safety during peak travel seasons.
The claim by the Southern Railways that the new coaches introduced on the Venad Express can accommodate 220 passengers each is misleading, according to Friends on Rails, an online platform of rail passengers. The existing coaches, which had 108 seats each, had been replaced with Deen Dayalu coaches offering only 100 seats each. The change, therefore, does not increase seating capacity as claimed by the railway to address overcrowding on the train.
The only advantages are improved ventilation and additional central doors, which facilitate quicker boarding and alighting for passengers.
According to Lyons. J, secretary, ‘Friends on Rails,’ through the announcement that the new coaches can accommodate 220 passengers, the railway implies that at least 10 passengers per coupe should climb up to sit on luggage racks located over five feet high.
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