Dynamic Fare in Super Fast Trains

Dynamic Fare in Super Fast Trains

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 941

ANSWERED ON 22.12.2017

Dynamic fare in super fast trains

941 Shri Ajay Sancheti
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether Railways have introduced dynamic fare in all super fast trains;

(b) if so, the details in this regard along with the purpose behind introduction of such system;

(c) whether the objectives have been achieved; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 941 BY SHRI AJAY SANCHETI ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 22.12.2017 REGARDING DYNAMIC FARE IN SUPERFAST TRAINS

(a) & (b): With effect from 01.10.2014, in some of the selected trains which are high in demand, 50% of the existing accommodation under Tatkal Quota has been earmarked as Premium Tatkal Quota and is being booked on dynamic pricing. This is a distance-slab based fare scheme where the fare increases by 20% after each slab of 10% berths subject to maximum three times of tatkal fare. Further w.e.f 09.09.2016, flexi fare system has been introduced in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains. Under this system, the base fare increases by 10% with every 10% of berths sold subject to maximum ceiling limit of 1.5 times in classes Second AC, Sleeper, Second Sitting (Reserved), AC Chair Car and 1.4 times in 3rd AC class. No change has been made in the fares for Ist AC and Executive Class of travel.

There has been substantial increase in the operating cost of passenger carrying trains over Indian Railways and passenger fare is still highly subsidized. The aims and objectives of introducing Premium Tatkal Quota and flexi fares scheme are to improve earnings in view of recurring loss in passenger business. Additional resources will help Railways to provide additional facilities/amenities to the passengers over Indian Railways.

(c) & (d): Additional earnings from 09.09.2016 to 30.06.2017 in comparison to the same period of previous years in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains is approximately `551 Crore. Additional dynamic earnings due to earmarking of premium Tatkal quota has also been generated however actual earnings cannot be assessed since the berths/seats leftover under the premium Tatkal quota are allotted first to the waitlisted passengers under the Tatkal quota and thereafter to the passengers waitlisted under general quota.