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...
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to high cost ac rail travel!
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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.