Hike in railway fare likely to make flying an attractive option

[V.Balasubramani]

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[h=1]Govt rethink on suburban railway fare, hike may be in phases- THE TIMES OF INDIA.[/h][h=1]NEW DELHI: Faced with all-round protests, the Modi government is considering recalibrating suburban railway fares in Mumbai and elsewhere in order to stagger the burden of last week's massive hike over phases instead of heaping all of it on the commuter in one go.

On a day when Shiv Sena slammed the unprecedented fare increase in Mumbai, top government sources indicated that they planned to work out whether a reduction of subsidy on suburban fares — the reason for the crippling jump — could be spread over a period of time.

Sources said discussions on moderating the increase may begin after railway minister D Sadanand Gowda's return to the Capital on Tuesday.[/h][h=1]While Friday's announcement upping long-distance fares by 14.2% didn't cause much of a flutter, what shocked Mumbaikars, embarrassed the BJP leaders in poll-bound Maharashtra, and had the Sena, an ally, up in arms, was the 100%-to-200% hike in fares on the suburban network. 'Locals' are the lifeline of Mumbai, and transport about 7.5 million - about half its population - every day.[/h][h=1]Read more: Govt rethink on suburban railway fare, hike may be in phases - The Times of India[/h][h=1][/h]

 

[venkat2206]

Ultimately we should also think like a true citizen and accept the increase. In Railways, all of us are fully aware that there are no gradual or yearly price increase and hence all the items came in one go. Beauty is even if you go for booking today, most of the cases get fully booked on the first day.

Venkat K

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Partial rollback: Rail fare hike not to apply on suburban travel upto 80 kms - ZEE NEWS

New Delhi: In a partial rollback, the Railways on Tuesday announced that the recent hike of 14.2 percent in passenger fares will not apply to second class suburban journey upto 80 kms, a decision that will give relief to lakhs of travellers mainly in metro cities.

In a revised order, the Railways also said that the fare hike in the unreserved segment shall come into force from June 28 as against June 25 when the increase will be implemented otherwise.

Railways also gave some relief to monthly pass holders by reverting to 15, instead of 30, the number of trips for which they will have to make payment for travelling unlimited times in a month.

The revision to the June 20 notification came hours after the MPs from ruling NDA belonging to Maharashtra met Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and demanded a rollback in the hike.

Cash-strapped railways had announced on June 20 an increase of 14.2 percent in passenger fares and 6.5 percent in freight rates, just three weeks before the presentation of the Rail Budget. The revised rates will come into effect from Wednesday.

"There shall be no increase in second class suburban ordinary fare upto 80 kms," said a Railway notification issued on Tuesday.

Read more: Partial rollback: Rail fare hike not to apply on suburban travel upto 80 kms

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Ultimately we should also think like a true citizen and accept the increase. In Railways, all of us are fully aware that there are no gradual or yearly price increase and hence all the items came in one go. Beauty is even if you go for booking today, most of the cases get fully booked on the first day.

Venkat K

Venkat Ji,

As a true citizen everyone is ready to accept the recent hike as we have no other alternative, but think for a while that a hike of more than 100% in season tickets is justified??

Now that the Ruling Government, considering the pressure brought out by its ally, has partially rolled back the hike which is going to be a great relief for the commuters of suburban train in all Metros.

 

[sarang]

Regarding season tickets, there were twits that number of journeys per month were also increased from 15 to 25-30 to justify doubling of monthly charges. Only locals can clear the cloud.

Venkat Ji,

As a true citizen everyone is ready to accept the recent hike as we have no other alternative, but think for a while that a hike of more than 100% in season tickets is justified??

Now that the Ruling Government, considering the pressure brought out by its ally, has partially rolled back the hike which is going to be a great relief for the commuters of suburban train in all Metros.

 

[Brahmanyan]

Sri Brahmanyan,

NaMo should be ready for tongue lashing by the ultra leftists and pseudo secularists!
But the fact of the matter is the increases have not gone down well with the masses!
Hope the bitter medicine will soon be followed by sweet announcements!! (The expectation from Budget are sky high! Not sure how NaMo is going to manage that!)

Our Railways are the fourth largest network in the world covering 65000 kms. And it is the cheapest mode of transport in terms of cost per KM. When we compare this with Road transport we can understand better. Passengers are ready to pay Rs.650-800 for a seat in A/C Bus (private) for Bangalore to Chennai, whereas it costs half of this in Railways. Some tell air fare will be cheaper. To reach the KIA, Bengaluru Airport from city we have to pay 850-1000 (Taxi) Then add User Development Fees Rs 342 for Domestic Passengers per Ticket. Due to this most of the Air Passengers have diverted to using Railways for Bangalore-Chennai route. It is strange that we are ready queue up to pay upto Rs500/- to watch a Movie at Prime time in a multiplex, but start complaining when Government resort to increase charges for essential facilities. On the part of Government the expenditure should be brought down to essential minimum by containing wastage and perform strict performance audit to check the efficiency.

Now it is time that the Government should openup to Private Companies to start new Railway routes and allow them to operate just as Bus and Air services.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[vgane]

Now it is time that the Government should openup to Private Companies to start new Railway routes and allow them to operate just as Bus and Air services.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

Brahmanyan Sir,

I too in my post # 11, had voiced the same opinion
(I think the time has come to privatise the railways..Look at the changes in airports after they got privatized

To begin with stations can be privatized...Maintenance which is currently a den of corruption can be privatize)

We can definitely improve the quality of services if it is privatized & people will not be bothered about the extra amount that they have to fork out!

 

[V.Balasubramani]

It is strange that we are ready queue up to pay upto Rs500/- to watch a Movie at Prime time in a multiplex, but start complaining when Government resort to increase charges for essential facilities.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

Sir,

A middle class person do go to movie once in a while, but has go to Office regularly to eke out his living.

In respect of sub-urban train, it is not the case, the hike proposed was nearly 100-185% !!

You may be aware, that as journey by train to Office regularly is considered as a cheap mode of transport, most of the office goers who are mostly belongs to middle class, prefer sub-urban train journey by going in for monthly/quarterly season ticket. The news report said that with the proposed hike in rate, a commuter who was hitherto paying a sum of Rs.115/= may have to pay Rs.330/= which amount to nearly 185% increase, a burden indeed. It is not that 14.2% here. That makes the difference.

Hope this partial roll back will prove to be a great relief to them now.

 

[sarang]

A monthly season ticket cost about 15 to 17 trips and should have gone up by 14%. Someone was crookedly clever to do away with the subsidy and raise to 30 days fare. Now this anamoly (?) is corrected.
If controlled access is introduced in Mumbai, ticket less travel may go and revenue may increase.
Long ago, London Birmingham train fare was 3£10 pence one way and 3£20 pence day return. Nice scheme no longer available.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Sir,

Besides increasing the fare and freight rates, hope the Railways will also look into the aspect of exploring the possible avenues open to generate more revenue like curbing ticketless travel, free passes, etc.etc

And also hope that the ensuing Railway Budget to be tabled on 8[SUP]th[/SUP] July 2014 is a passenger, customer and investor friendly.

 

[prasad1]

Brahmanyan Sir,

I too in my post # 11, had voiced the same opinion
(I think the time has come to privatise the railways..Look at the changes in airports after they got privatized

To begin with stations can be privatized...Maintenance which is currently a den of corruption can be privatize)

We can definitely improve the quality of services if it is privatized & people will not be bothered about the extra amount that they have to fork out!

In India the government run business are a drain on the government. The inefficient are rewarded by subsidized by the taxpayer. I have voiced this in my opinion on Air-India. Similarly the Train service should also be privatized. I agree with this view whole heartedly.

 

[vgane]

How hard did the Railway Minster bite?

 

[vgane]

Some of us (Brahmanyan, Prasad, myself) had recommended privatization of railways to provide better services

PM too in his Katra speech today has suggested this..Looks like better time are in store for the mammoth Indian Railways!

PM hints at increased private sector role in railways - The Times of India

 

[tks]

Some of us (Brahmanyan, Prasad, myself) had recommended privatization of railways to provide better services

PM too in his Katra speech today has suggested this..Looks like better time are in store for the mammoth Indian Railways!

PM hints at increased private sector role in railways - The Times of India

Some of the worst and lawless companies in India to deal with are private in my limited experience.

Privatization is not a panacea unless it is accompanied by powerful government organizations that can protect consumer's rights. In addition there are needs for anti-trust laws to foster genuine competition so the monopoly control and price fixing does not become the practice.

In the absence of the above laws and organizations with teeth to protect consumers I would prefer the current arrangement of control via public companies. It is about choosing the lesser of the two evils