Commuters Voice Anger Over Soaring Parking Fees
Daily commuters at Thiruvananthapuram railway station are expressing strong dissatisfaction with the steep vehicle parking charges that have become an additional financial burden. The situation has escalated to the point where passenger groups and organizations are taking their complaints directly to railway authorities and staging public demonstrations.
What Makes the Parking Charges Problematic?
The core issue lies in the non-uniform pricing structure when compared to other major railway stations across Kerala. Compounding the problem is the ongoing redevelopment work at the station, which has significantly reduced available premium parking space while maintaining high rates.
Currently, the parking fee structure charges two-wheelers Rs 15 for the first two hours, with an additional Rs 15 for every subsequent hour. For four-wheelers, the rate starts at Rs 40 for two hours, followed by Rs 30 for each additional hour. These charges prove particularly expensive for daily commuters who park their vehicles at the station while traveling for work or educational purposes.
Real Examples Highlight the Disparity
One passenger recently highlighted the severity of the situation through a formal complaint letter to railway authorities. "I left my motorcycle in the premium parking space and they charged me Rs 250 for 17 hours," the passenger reported. "However, at Ernakulam Junction it is only Rs 150 for 24 hours."
Liyons J from Friends on Rails confirmed that this isn't a new concern. "We have been raising the issue with the railways for a long time," he stated. "But no action was taken despite our repeated complaints."
Protests and Wider Implications
The frustration reached a boiling point on Wednesday when the All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) staged a protest at the railway station against the high parking charges. E V Prakash, AIDYO state president, articulated the organization's position clearly.
"The railways increased the rates in such a way that it will be expensive for a person to park the vehicle regularly and travel," Prakash emphasized, pointing to the systematic nature of the pricing problem.
The parking fee issue isn't confined to Thiruvananthapuram alone. Similar concerns are emerging from Kollam railway station, where development works are also ongoing. Victor, a daily commuter traveling from Kollam to Thiruvananthapuram, confirmed that monthly parking at Kollam station has become prohibitively expensive.
"The new parking area is getting ready there," Victor noted. "Some space is given to a contractor who charges Rs 30 per day. The rates are not uniform across different parking areas."
The growing discontent among commuters suggests that railway authorities will need to address these parking charge concerns promptly to maintain good relations with their daily passengers.
