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Don’t be surprised if you are not supplied a bedroll well into the midnight or the air-conditioners in your coach break down while travelling in long distance trains in AC class!Many long-distance trains, especially the Ernakulam-Patna Express, are running with two staff (a mechanic and an attender) for three AC coaches while the current norms prescribe at least four personnel for every three coaches.Recently, electrical employees at the Ernakulam centre refused to sign the roaster demanding that the anomaly be rectified as it increases the workload of those deployed in trains.“The issue arose after two members of staff were deployed (for three coaches) as part of cost-cutting measures. But it was resolved after we agreed to deploy three people for now,” a top railway official said.P. Unnikrishnan, SRMU divisional president, charged that the move is aimed at cutting the percentage of overtime allowance being provided to the staff. “Less staff means less allowance. In trains like Patna, and Mangala Express, the current staff strength is inadequate,” he said.Earlier, the Railways had provided two AC mechanics and an attender for every two AC coaches. “We are not getting the basic passenger amenity services despite paying increased ticket fare.We have to go and ask for pillows or sheets. Sometimes, the bedroll is provided late in the night, say around 11.30 pm.

On questioning, we get replies about staff shortage. But we are paying higher fares and we need the services,” said Paul K.J.Manvattom, president of All-Kerala Railway Users Association.

With the Railways increasingly giving contracts to such work in long distance trains, the pruning down of the staff in AC coaches will be extended to most of the express trains. “But we’ll see to it that more staff are posted in trains like the Patna Express,” the official said.