SWR fails to operate extra trains as the strike hits airport passengers

Bengaluru: Commuters travelling to and from Kempegowda International Airport have been facing many difficulties due to the bus strike since April 7 and South Western Railway (SWR) has failed to operate additional trains.

Every day, on average nearly 45,000 passengers fly through KIA and many are dependent on BMTC’s Vayu Vajra and KSRTC’s flybus services. A day before the strike, BMTC was operating around 70 Vayu Vajra buses but now it is running skeletal services. Flybus were also operated especially from places like Mysuru and Madikeri. Nearly 10 such buses were functioning before the strike.

SWR is operating 10 trains per day to and from KIA halt station. The price for a ticket is between Rs 10 and Rs 15. The station which was built by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)  is located at just a 3.5 km distance from the terminal and was expected to benefit around 28,000 airport employees and passengers. BIAL is also operating shuttle services between the halt station and airport terminal.

Experts and commuters are of the view that additional trains to and from the halt station would have benefited many. K Venugopal, a flyer, said, “There is a shortage of cabs at KIA, especially at night. Earlier, solo passengers with less luggage could have used Vayu Vajra to reach the city, but now there are no buses due to the strike. Train frequency is also less, so the halt station is of no use. They should have augmented services.”

“It was a good opportunity, but both SWR and BIAL have failed to review the timings, travel duration and routes of existing airport services. It would have served as an excellent alternative mode of travel during the strike and people wouldn’t have to rely on cabs and shell out more”, said Rajkumar Dugar, founder of Citizens for Citizens which campaigned for a halt station.

AN Krishna Reddy, senior divisional commercial manager, Bengaluru division, SWR, stated, “Patronage is only 2-3% in airport-bound trains. We are operating trains early morning and evening for the convenience of flyers. We have received some suggestions from BIAL to operate a few more services to benefit their employees but have not taken any decision due to the second wave of Covid-19.”

He added that they will be able to run MEMU trains on the route with high frequency once the electrification and track doubling work is done.

“BIAL is working with the transport department to support services to and from the airport. Currently, a limited number of Vayu Vajra routes/services are operational. In the initial days of the strike, private buses were arranged by BMTC”, said BIAL. When asked about the chances of roping in private operators, it said, “Such a plan would have to be developed by the transport department and BMTC.”

It also added, “BIAL is in discussions with Indian Railways to increase the frequency of trains. This outcome, however, would be determined by the railways.” BIAL told that there was sufficient number of taxis available.