Expo Rail turns one

A year ago, Expo Rail commenced its journey to redefine train travel in Sri Lanka with the first luxury compartment attached to the Kandy Intercity train. Badulla was then added to the list of destinations on 10 December 2011 while the first train to Vavuniya was flagged off on 31 January 2012, making Expo Rail the fastest growing luxury train service provider in Sri Lanka.

Trincomalee is the latest major destination that was added to the list, bringing the Expo Rail service to a total of 60 major towns and cities of Sri Lanka.

Expo Rail ensures its passengers a unique travel experience, with each and every facet of the luxury train compartment designed with their comfort in mind. The 44,500 customers who have travelled to date bear testimony to the unparalleled service standards maintained at Expo Rail, where the onboard crew meets and greets each passenger, welcoming them to the state-of-the-art carriages making them feel at home immediately.

Speaking on Expo Rail completing one year of operations, Group CEO, Expolanka Hanif Yusoof said: “We are delighted and humbled to have been able to complete our first year of operation as Sri Lanka’s premier provider of luxury rail travel. From the inception, we were focused on giving our passengers the best service and best onboard experience. We are glad to see our efforts pay off with passengers travelling with us to over 60 main destinations on four different routes covering the north, east and central Sri Lanka. We have exciting plans for the coming year, and look forward to expand our services even further.”

Conceptualised as a public-private partnership between Expolanka Holdings and Sri Lanka Railways, Expo Rail was instrumental in bringing about a new layer of choices for the discerning traveller and the adventurous tourist. The service combines the reliability and strength of the national railway system with the modernity and luxury of custom-built railway carriages and customer service. The support and co-operation of the management and staff at Sri Lanka Railways has been vital in the growth and expansion of Expo Rail. The company is grateful for the partnership they have forged in redefining train travel in Sri Lanka.

Expo Rail has proven to be an innovative and flexible service provider extending value-added services to potential customers with online and mobile booking options, travel packages for customers who wish to tour the cities that they travel to, and even special custom designed rail schedules and charter services for corporates who truly want to impress their customers and partners.

Over the past year Expo Rail has scheduled special trains with only Expo Rail carriages for Dilmah and Vario Systems to Nanu Oya and Kandy respectively. It has also been privileged to host the Uthura Rudras Cricket Team, the Royal College Bradby Team and the St. Peter’s College Rugby Federation on their trips to the central hills. It has also had the honour of transporting many VIPs and corporates on their trips by train while also providing passage to Nanu Oya for the Speaker of Parliament with his friends and family.

Many passengers of Expo Rail have been converted to repeat travellers, convinced by the efficiency of the service, care and pride taken by Expo Rail to ensure maximum passenger comfort even in the case of an emergency outside their control, such as delays due to landslides blocking the progress of the train or technical breakdown of the engines.

Expo Rail added a missing element in Sri Lanka’s packaging as a must-visit destination for international tourists by giving the assurance of a first-class service in all spheres when it comes to rail travel. Luxurious reclining seats for spacious comfort and relaxation, fully air-conditioned carriages with individual power outlets per seat and free Wi-Fi along with wide screen LCD televisions are set up to enhance the journey with comfort and entertainment, while the meals served on board add a new dimension to rail travel.

Simple luxuries onboard include spacious overhead compartments, ‘first aid’ treatment on hand and clean wash rooms while a friendly cabin crew offers a personalised service.

Expolanka Holdings PLC, the Holding Company of the Expolanka Group, commenced operations in 1978. The company is listed in the Main Board of the Colombo Stock Exchange as a diversified conglomerate.