* GR train is going vacant in peak season and peak summer!!! It could happen in IR
* There is not a single direct train between Ranchi and Bhopal. How come Rly officials know that there is enough traffic between the 2 cities to fill a fully ac train (16GR with 1150 berths!!). More over there is not a single big city on the 1200km route (only a few medium cities above 2 lac population like Sagaur, BSP, Rourkela) which can provide more than 100 paxs. I fail to understand the logic behind choosing this destinations of this train.
*...
more...

Had they introduced the train on routes where long waiting lists are existing like Hatia-Mumbai, Hatia-Pune or Hatia-Delhi or Hatia Bangalore, there would have been good patronage!
* This is a special fare train with a fare of Rs 1795/- (as per IRI) for just 1197 km journey from Hatia-BPL as against normal GR fare of 900-950 Rs! Starting such a special fare train on new route devoid of big cities, speaks volumes about the marketing skills of IR. Looks like IR have no feeling of the pulse of the market/ passengers.
* Instead of making it a normal fare train, the IR decide to stop it. If fares are kept normal, the occupancy could have been at least above 50% and revenue collection would have been about double of the present.
* For the paxs(esp ACIII class), the message from IR is clear- if you want to avail special train, pay through nose or cancel your journey.
Muhawara "Rassi Jal jaayegi par Bal nahin jaayega" IR par to 100% lagoo hota hai!!! "Train cancel kar denge par special price nahin hataayenge".
* Even with normal fares, IR is making profits in ACIII class, but IR want to loot this class by charging 200% of the actual cost on one hand and continue to pamper the poor by charging only 20-25% of actual cost and comfort the rich ACI & ACII by sparing them from draconian fares! Is our society gradually heading back to age old setup of 2 classes, Rich (Jameendaars/Darbaaris/ Seths) and Poor (Debt ridden farmers/workers)?
* IR is run from govt./Public money thru budgetary support and introduction of such trains give an indication that the monopolistic arrangement of rail transportation in our country in the hands of govt, is leading to misuse of public money and breeding inefficiency at the cost of tax payer's money. Role of Govt should be to govern & regulate the transportation in country, and not to high-jack the most efficient mode of transport (i.e. rail transport) through monopoly.

* GR train is going vacant in peak season and peak summer!!! It could happen in IR
* There is not a single direct train between Ranchi and Bhopal. How come Rly officials know that there is enough traffic between the 2 cities to fill a fully ac train (16GR with 1150 berths!!). More over there is not a single big city on the 1200km route (only a few medium cities above 2 lac population like Sagaur, BSP, Rourkela) which can provide more than 100 paxs. I fail to understand the logic behind choosing this destinations of this train.
*...
more...

Had they introduced the train on routes where long waiting lists are existing like Hatia-Mumbai, Hatia-Pune or Hatia-Delhi or Hatia Bangalore, there would have been good patronage!
* This is a special fare train with a fare of Rs 1795/- (as per IRI) for just 1197 km journey from Hatia-BPL as against normal GR fare of 900-950 Rs! Starting such a special fare train on new route devoid of big cities, speaks volumes about the marketing skills of IR. Looks like IR have no feeling of the pulse of the market/ passengers.
* Instead of making it a normal fare train, the IR decide to stop it. If fares are kept normal, the occupancy could have been at least above 50% and revenue collection would have been about double of the present.
* For the paxs(esp ACIII class), the message from IR is clear- if you want to avail special train, pay through nose or cancel your journey.
Muhawara "Rassi Jal jaayegi par Bal nahin jaayega" IR par to 100% lagoo hota hai!!! "Train cancel kar denge par special price nahin hataayenge".
* Even with normal fares, IR is making profits in ACIII class, but IR want to loot this class by charging 200% of the actual cost on one hand and continue to pamper the poor by charging only 20-25% of actual cost and comfort the rich ACI & ACII by sparing them from draconian fares! Is our society gradually heading back to age old setup of 2 classes, Rich (Jameendaars/Darbaaris/ Seths) and Poor (Debt ridden farmers/workers)?
* IR is run from govt./Public money thru budgetary support and introduction of such trains give an indication that the monopolistic arrangement of rail transportation in our country in the hands of govt, is leading to misuse of public money and breeding inefficiency at the cost of tax payer's money. Role of Govt should be to govern & regulate the transportation in country, and not to high-jack the most efficient mode of transport (i.e. rail transport) through monopoly.

Special fare is also the biggest culprit in this matter. Indian Railways can never profiteer from the ac class paxs in long run.
Almost all the ACI class paxs, and a large fraction of ACII class paxs are habitual of travelling by air, so they quickly switch over to air travel (if air-connectivity exists).
Most of ACIII and some ACII class paxs are not habitual of travelling by air are usually forced to pay such draconian fares for relatively very poor facility of ACIII rail travel. These paxs too shall get alternatives...
more...

to high cost ac rail travel!
-
The Suvidha/PT/Special/Flexi fares shall soon come to end as following alternatives are in the offing for the AC class paxs:
(1) CHEAPER AIR TRAVEL- New aviation policy aims to make air travel affordable to middle class people. 1 hr air travel (about 600kms air distance or 700-800 kms of rail distance) shall cost below 2500 Rs. More over low cost airlines are fast spreading wings on longer routes.
(2) Our country have about 450 air strips, out of which less than 20% have commercial operations. New aviation policy propose to gradually develop remaining air strips as no frill low cost airports, and funds shall be released with involvement of respective state govts without insisting for profitability. Low cost airlines shall then start operations from these airports. This step shall drastically increase the reach of air travel and open up the option of air travel to residents of smaller cities, who currently are forced to pay for Suvidha/Special/PT/Flexi fares etc.
(3) It aims to promote air travel from 7 crores per annum in 2014-15 to 30 crores by 2022 & to 50 crores by 2027. Huge growth of air traffic @ about 23% per annum has been achieved since last 2 years. More is expected as commercial operations start from the new airports under operationalisation. Danger bells of loseing more paxs including ACIII & ACC classes are already ringing loud for IR.
(4) Huge network of highways & other roads have come up and more are under implementation. This open up introduction of more luxury buses on popular routes and new routes.
(5) Electric/Hybrid cars and buses are on the verge of coming on to the roads with active promotion from Govt to promote better environment. The very low operational costs of electric road vehicles shall make Bus/ Taxi/ Private car journey much cheaper than flexi fares of IR.