Railways Discounts On Train Tickets ?
Just like air travelers, railway passengers planning their journey in advance could get cheaper deals, if the recommendations of a fare review committee are approved by the Railway Board.
The committee, which submitted its report earlier this week, has recommended:
1. graded discounts depending on the number of vacant seats in a train,
2. discounts from 50 per cent to 20 per cent depending on the number of vacant seats available at the time of booking.
3. discounts for tickets booked after charting. It has said that discounts can be offered in slots from two days to two hours before the departure of the train.
4. that passengers will have to pay more for choosing lower berths, just like air travelers pay more for front-row seats. However, officials say that senior citizens, people with disabilities and pregnant women could be allotted the seats free of charge.
5. that fares be increased for those trains which reach their destinations at “convenient” times such as early morning as against those that arrive at “odd hours” for example between 0000 and 0400 hours and 1300 and 1700 hours, the officials said.
6. that instead of having flat fares, the railways should increase fares during festive seasons, and reduce them during lean months.
7. premium charges for overnight trains and trains with pantry cars.
What may happen if Railway Board implements the above recommendations:
1. Agents will book cheap tickets and make huge profits. Railways loose money due to discounts.
2. Increase in corruption.
Railways should abolish flexi-fare scheme and revert to fixed fares. Railways should not think of following commercial practices of Airlines who are competing with each other for market share.
Railways may also consider using modern management techniques for cost cutting, improving safety and running trains on time. more
The committee, which submitted its report earlier this week, has recommended:
1. graded discounts depending on the number of vacant seats in a train,
2. discounts from 50 per cent to 20 per cent depending on the number of vacant seats available at the time of booking.
3. discounts for tickets booked after charting. It has said that discounts can be offered in slots from two days to two hours before the departure of the train.
4. that passengers will have to pay more for choosing lower berths, just like air travelers pay more for front-row seats. However, officials say that senior citizens, people with disabilities and pregnant women could be allotted the seats free of charge.
5. that fares be increased for those trains which reach their destinations at “convenient” times such as early morning as against those that arrive at “odd hours” for example between 0000 and 0400 hours and 1300 and 1700 hours, the officials said.
6. that instead of having flat fares, the railways should increase fares during festive seasons, and reduce them during lean months.
7. premium charges for overnight trains and trains with pantry cars.
What may happen if Railway Board implements the above recommendations:
1. Agents will book cheap tickets and make huge profits. Railways loose money due to discounts.
2. Increase in corruption.
Railways should abolish flexi-fare scheme and revert to fixed fares. Railways should not think of following commercial practices of Airlines who are competing with each other for market share.
Railways may also consider using modern management techniques for cost cutting, improving safety and running trains on time. more
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View all 34 comments Below 34 comments
First of all, this is to request the Railway Minister to withdraw or do away with the surge pricing of tickets. This is draconian, unwarranted, unjustified and fooling the citizens of India. more
Feb 16
With corruption rampant, any forward thinking proposals are likely to fail. But certainly the railways should try. Advanced booking would mean the money is with the railways early so that it can be put to use for any purpose. However, my concern is that with such low fares, people may just book tickets even if they do not have the specific need for travel and then cancel with the idea that the loss is not high. It puts other passengers at inconvenience. Maybe one simple rule could be that people who get discounted tickets should cancel atleast 1 week before journey day, to get a refund. This should be applicable if there is already a wait list for that journey. Else they do not. This will benefit other wait listed passengers. If there is no wait list, they may be permitted to cancel anytime. I hope this logic is simple enough to implement. more
Jan 29
The step for higher fares for lower berths etc. will certainly lead to corruption, un controllable black market and agent/broker proliferation. Many young ladies of 18 to 30 yrs. Age group and I.T. executives and sales representatives on duty-travel prefer side upper berths, as they can start using lap-tops as soon as entraining. Hence lower berths are preferred by Senior citizens, middle ages and ladies and medical travelers. The last category viz. medical travelers and citizens just near senior citizens age limit will ultimately pay more for lower/side-lower/middle berths. If festival season fares are increased, middle and lower class employees will be forced to start earlier than needed applying casual or even earned/medical leave to avoid higher fares , thus un-necessary loss of precious employee-hours, resulting in administrative delays and more red-tape. Put more services and introduce more coaches and collect an uniform 25% or 50% surcharge for additional services/ seats created . That is progressive thinking. Charging more from captive/helpless customers and needy reflects only negative thinking and unprofitable short-cuts more
Jan 28
Please stop sending this mailLife asks no question which faith can not answer.From: MOHIT PANDE Sent: Fri, 19 Jan 2018 15:30:55To: kumarak_lko@rediffmail.comSubject: "Railways Discounts On Tra..." more
Jan 24
u r making railway un-affordable for a large number of middle class and poor people..there is no comparison between Rail-n-Air coz Air takes 1/10th of time to reach destination and offer class of services. if a direct comparison done than Railway price should be less than half of it's current price. set the best standard of services for your self to charge such fee. you are already denting our budget n savings. more
Jan 22
Prepare the reports and planning wearing middle and poor class peoples shoes. Come out from ivory tower. more
Jan 23
We are still a developing country. Don't mess up the existing discount system which is reasonable. Don't exploit us anymore. Last minister has already done enough of exploitation. Think on the line of ex railway minister Mr. Laluprasad Yadav who gave us AC Garib rath yatra. Be innovative to generate money but not from our pockets. more
Jan 23
