High Fuel Costs forcing Sri Lankans to use packed public transport

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka is currently facing its worse economic crisis, and people who cannot afford to pay a high cost for fuel have been forced to use public transport, especially the jam-packed trains.

News 1st's Teena Marian filed this report during her early morning commute to work.

The Colombo-bound train from Polgahawela was already packed like cans of sardines when it reached one of the busiest train stations on the coastal route this morning.

As the train reached the platform, commuters rushed to the doors trying to creep inside the already packed compartments to make their way to Colombo for school and work.

The train on its journey to Colombo passed many other stations, and some passengers waiting to board the train simply had to look on as the packed train passed by with no room for more passengers.

For many, this has been the case for decades and more additional compartments is a paramount need.

News 1st's inquiries from authorities at Sri Lanka Railways on why this perennial issue has gone unresolved despite footage and images of packed trains going viral for decades went unanswered.

Overcrowded public transport is now the norm, as many hang off footboards for their lives and livelihoods.