Passengers sore with premium 'Tatkal' tickets

[V.Balasubramani]

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[h=1]Passengers sore with premium 'Tatkal' tickets[/h]The Railways implemented a new rule for booking Tatkal tickets at a premium rate from 1 October, keeping in the festival season in mind. However, it doesn't seem to have brought the expected cheer among passengers.

The hike in tatkal fare has dampened the festival mood of the passengers. Many intending to travel to their native places located in the South of Tamilnadu and rest of the country need to shell out extra for the dynamic fare system which is in place during this (festive) season. All trains which offer tatkal would be making available 50 per cent of its tickets at premium based on the demand.

This caused great amount of resentment and disappointment among many residents of Chennai who were planning their holiday.
'I usually go by train to my native place since it is more convenient and comfortable than bus journey,' said Thiyagarajan of Old Washermenpet, who hails from Kanyakumari. 'However the present hike in tatkal spoils my plan,' he rued.

Several residents of the city alleged there was no difference between the private players and service-oriented government organisations like Railways. 'It is the nature of the private bus operators to hike their fare according to the demand and Central government emulating this is pathetic,' said Ranjani of Perambur.

Read more: Passengers sore with premium 'Tatkal' tickets | News Today

 

[Brahmanyan]

It is natural that the new "Tatkal" scheme has caused great amount of resentment and disappointment among the people. Offering tickets under "Tatkal" itself is wrong. It nothing but making money using urgency of some one. Instead the Railways should provide more seats or increase the trains to cater the needs of public. Railways should run as a commercial business and not a Government department. Though the Government has changed the thinking of Railways under the Railway Board has not come out of the old "Nehruvian Philosophy".

I wish Prime Minister Modi reviews the working of his Ministers and does course correction.

Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Sir,

You are right.

This move of the Railways is nothing but exploiting the general public's demand to make money. Railways is not a private player and it is an Organisation run by the Government to provide service to the public.


Even the Railways Staff Union (SRMU) went against the Railways on this move.

SRMU flays railways for introducing flexi-fare premium trains during Diwali season

CHENNAI: The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) has flayed the railways for introducing flexi-fare premium trains, instead regular special trains, to clear the passenger rush during festival seasons.

"Railways, instead of running special trains on normal fare during festival seasons, have resorted to the tactics of announcing the special trains as premium trains to collect 150% to 200% additional fares from passengers," said SRMU general secretary N Kanniah.

"Instead of helping thousands of passengers during the Diwali season by running special trains, the Southern Railway has announced four premium trains between October 20 to 21 towards Tirnelveli and Coimbatore on dynamic fare by which the ticket fares go up from 10% to 200% on every 10% of the berths booked like in airlines," he said in a statement.

Read more: SRMU flays railways for introducing flexi-fare premium trains during Diwali season - The Times of India

 

[Brahmanyan]

Dear Sri Balasubramani,

Indian Railways are neither a service organisation nor a commercial enterprise, it is run as a hybrid of both. It is
a government monopoly, employing largest work force in the Country. But its operations are directed by political considerations, under a Political Master, (a Minister). If you go through the Railway Budget in detail you will understand better. How ever we must admit Indian Railways are the most economical transport operated for the common people in India. I am afraid, at this rate,if allowed, Railway tickets may be charged like that of Air Tickets and Private Bus tickets or multiplex cinema tickets !

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

 

[krish44]

Railways is trying to develop a dual avathar , sometimes a commercial enterprise otherwise mostly a service set up

premium trains are bound to be a failure . it might turn out to be high fares with low occupancy leading to losses instead of profit. common people will shift to AC buses for

overnight travel.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Dear Sri Balasubramani,

Indian Railways are neither a service organisation nor a commercial enterprise, it is run as a hybrid of both. It is
a government monopoly, employing largest work force in the Country. But its operations are directed by political considerations, under a Political Master, (a Minister). If you go through the Railway Budget in detail you will understand better. How ever we must admit Indian Railways are the most economical transport operated for the common people in India. I am afraid, at this rate,if allowed, Railway tickets may be charged like that of Air Tickets and Private Bus tickets or multiplex cinema tickets !

Regards,
Brahmanyan,
Bangalore.

Sir,

With charging exorbitant fare from the public, it still runs on loss. The largest work force seems to be the disadvantage factor for the Railways.

So it is not ‘Acche Din’ for the general public as far as Railways is concerned.
They started paying the penalty.

 

[krish44]

railways can concentrate on other things . they are sitting on large parcels of unused land.it is virtually a gold mine

Its stations have large spaces which generate huge revenues.

they can increase passenger amenities for claiiming higher fares. people in that case might not mind .

they can care a little more about safety . speed need not be such a high priority. it can be increased in stages.

one can have high speed lines in sectors along with heavy investment and leave such things for private players with foreign tie up .

indian private players in railways were a disaster .

delhi airport -city link operated by a private player was a disaster and delhi metro too it over again for turning it around.

same is the performance of private discoms BSES for electricity distribution in delhi. They ended up only raising the rates and flogging the system with virtually no upgrades .

to make it efficient.

all super luxury trains for foreign tourists are flops with private participation.

it is not an issue of private or public.

it requires a few imaginative persons with vision with a goal to change anything.

one sridharan could bring a good metro to delhi'. he did it with committed govt employees .

others can also do it.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

one sridharan could bring a good metro to delhi'. he did it with committed govt employees .

others can also do it.

Krish Ji,

I agree on the above point.

A committee headed by E. Sridharan would achieve what is thought to be impossible.

I would like to share two articles published in The Hindu in this regard.

On the track to innovation in Railways

Augmenting research, promoting greater engagement with the academic community and ensuring safety can make the Railways ready for the future

The railway budget presented by Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda, while clearly an exercise in balancing competing demands in a resource-constrained enterprise, reflects a pragmatic approach at least in terms of the statement of objectives in some what qualitative terms. India has the fourth longest railway network in the world.However, in proportion to the population served, the track length is one of the lowest. In terms of energy and environment, travelling by train is an order of magnitude superior as compared to road transport. With high-speed trains, rail transport could compete favourably with air travel up to arange of around 500 kilometres. Given all this, it is somewhat ironic that the growth of railway tracks has not even kept pace with the growth of roads in our country.

Quite apart from the inherent inefficiency of investment and operation, this has also led to inadequate inspection and maintenance. The decision to bring in a modern vehicle-borne ultrasonic flaw detection system and a broken-rail detection system was thus long overdue. With the intention to introduce high-speed trains, this is even more important, especially if these trains are to run on some of the existing tracks. Among different causative factors for poor quality of tracks, discharge of human waste on tracks is an important one. In this context, the move to fit bio-toilets in rail coaches should thus see greater emphasis along with the welcome thrust on cleanliness.

Read more:1) http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-railways-need-surgery/article6180900.ece
:2) The Railways need surgery - The Hindu

 

[krish44]

VBji
Claps .we have agreed.

Private players are indians only with the same mindset but profit alone as motive.

since this is the only goal, everything else goes for a toss . they flog all assets including rolling stock and manpower and kill the goose laying the eggs.

how many private companies become sick and get referred to BIFR for closure. many could have survived with technology upgrades or timely finance injection.

british ran the same railways , laying tracks at high altitudes and buiding bridges to cross big rivers ,

what have we to show except the konkan railways or some links to J and K?

The same resources can be better utilised for better results .

It requires only a good think tank and a visionary along with a few good leaders to turn around things.

If politicians can keep out and find a few more sridharans railways can do well.

 

[sarang]

one sridharan could bring a good metro to delhi'. he did it with committed govt employees . others can also do it.

Let this breed grow, reach a critical mass and engulf all railway and government sections. Swamy and Modi have said several times that there are committed, sincere, non corrupt, ethical and honest officials in all govt departments; but they were kept down and not allowed to gain control.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

VBji
Claps .we have agreed.
If politicians can keep out and find a few more sridharans railways can do well.

Krish Ji,

As has been mentioned by Shri Brahmanyan Ji, we have no hesitation to admit that Indian Railways are the most economical transport operated for the common people in India. But the recent development of introduction of‘Premium Trains’ is a thing really causing concern for the poor who voted for the Government with all hopes.

IMO the interest and welfare of the poor is pushed to the back seat as far as Railways is concerned.

There are millions of solution for the Railways to improve in all aspects. Will they do?

 

[krish44]

the party in power in new . they will learn fast if they face some reverses.

power will mellow them and make them give up their aggression when they get a setback one after the other.

congress has a lot of experience .

they know instinctively what not to do as they have burnt their hands many times.

Bjp has some smart minds . they will also learn and become a responsible party in area of economics and good governance'

they can keep their religeous ideology on back burner and concentrate on governance . they will do well

Railways should get autonomy and get a few good civil servants to turn it around keeping the politicians out.

we will see the difference.

 

[sarang]

Premium trains, dynamic prizing and tourism centred travel were all frequently raised by Modi in several forums - rallies, interviews and mentioned in the bjp election manifesto.

The railway board and management has the freedom to react quickly to changed conditions and do course correction wherever necessary.

Krish Ji,

As has been mentioned by Shri Brahmanyan Ji, we have no hesitation to admit that Indian Railways are the most economical transport operated for the common people in India. But the recent development of introduction of‘Premium Trains’ is a thing really causing concern for the poor who voted for the Government with all hopes.

IMO the interest and welfare of the poor is pushed to the back seat.

There are millions of solution for the Railways to improve in all aspects. Will they do?

 

[V.Balasubramani]

the party in power in new . they will learn fast if they face some reverses.

power will mellow them and make them give up their aggression when they get a setback one after the other.

congress has a lot of experience .

they know instinctively what not to do as they have burnt their hands many times.

Bjp has some smart minds . they will also learn and become a responsible party in area of economics and good governance'

they can keep their religeous ideology on back burner and concentrate on governance . they will do well

Railways should get autonomy and get a few good civil servants to turn it around keeping the politicians out.

we will see the difference.

Wish our hopes/dreams of Railways providing better service to the poor without increasing the fare under disguise of ‘Premium Trains’ etc. comes true early.

 

[prasad1]

Is Railways a charity or service? If charity then government subsidy should be provided.
All the same any organization must be optimized. The cost of doing business must be in line with other comparable business. Inefficient organization must be trimmed to size.

If it is a service it must be run as as a business and must be able to sustain itself.

 

[krish44]

Vbji
I travelled on one such premium train delhi -bombay on rajdhani timings on its introduction some months back . it was to cope with the rush . its AC 2tier was less than 50 percent

occupancy with all upper berths vacant.

I do not know how many trains ran that way .

WE introduce a train since it is a politicians vision . does it make commercial sense ?

Our older politicians introduced trains to their home states and towns.

In what way is this different?

is it good business?

 

[sarang]

Railway ministry and railway board welcome suggestions from public. In fact Modi while launching the various schemes, named and thanked the people who had sent suggestions through website.

the party in power in new . they will learn fast if they face some reverses.

power will mellow them and make them give up their aggression when they get a setback one after the other.

congress has a lot of experience .

they know instinctively what not to do as they have burnt their hands many times.

Bjp has some smart minds . they will also learn and become a responsible party in area of economics and good governance'

they can keep their religeous ideology on back burner and concentrate on governance . they will do well

Railways should get autonomy and get a few good civil servants to turn it around keeping the politicians out.

we will see the difference.

 

[V.Balasubramani]

Krish Ji,

Look at this version of Mr. Kanniah, who is the General Secretary of SRMU

"The passengers do not understand that in the online booking system the available berths are cornered by the educated and suave passengers who have access to computers and internet and highend mobile phones while the uneducated poor ordinary passengers are left in lurch by the ministry of railways," Kanniah said.

How will the economically weaker section book tickets who have no access to sophisticated gadgets? Why their interest was not protected?

 

[sarang]

From day one it was known that the new premium trains and dynamic tatkal are for affluent passengers, and the seats available in the earlier categories were not reduced. I think only 50 % of the special trains are premium trains. Of course lot of confusion prevails.

In my ten odd trips in shinkansen, only half the seats were occupied. In two instances was allowed to make the journey in an earlier train without any fuss despite having a reserved ticket. Means the trains are never full. Compare it with the local trains in japan, which are over crowded.

Krish Ji,

Look at this version of Mr. Kanniah, who is the General Secretary of SRMU

"The passengers do not understand that in the online booking system the available berths are cornered by the educated and suave passengers who have access to computers and internet and highend mobile phones while the uneducated poor ordinary passengers are left in lurch by the ministry of railways," Kanniah said.

How will the economically weaker section book tickets who have no access to sophisticated gadgets? Why their interest was not protected?