Pune: The recent decision by the Railway Board to reduce ticket fares by up to 25 percent in ‘AC Chair Car’ and ‘Executive Class’ trains has brought disappointment to passengers in Pune. It has been clarified that this discount will only be applicable to trains that have less than 50 percent occupancy. Unfortunately, most premium trains running from Pune, including the popular ‘Vandebharat’ Express, consistently have over 80 percent occupancy. This means that passengers in Pune will not benefit from the fare reduction.
The Railway Board’s decision to reduce ticket fares in ‘AC Chair Car’ and ‘Executive Class’ trains by 25 percent has raised hopes for passengers across the country. It was expected that this reduction would also apply to other express trains, including the newly launched ‘Vandebharat’ Express. However, the Railway Board has made it clear that the fare reduction will only be implemented on trains with less than 50 percent occupancy. Furthermore, the decision does not extend to special trains.
In Pune, several popular trains operate on a daily basis, connecting the city with Mumbai and other destinations. These include the Deccan Queen, Sinhagad Express, Pragati ‘AC Chair Car,’ and ‘Executive Class’ trains. Additionally, the Mumbai-Solapur ‘Vandebharat Express’ also runs from Pune. Unfortunately, these trains witness a high passenger response, with occupancy rates exceeding 80 percent and, in some cases, reaching as high as 95 to 100 percent. Given this situation, it is evident that the Railway Board’s decision will not have any direct benefit for passengers in Pune.
The Railway Board has granted authority to Chief Commercial Managers of all Railways to provide fare concessions of up to 25 percent. However, it is important to note that this does not guarantee a direct 25 percent reduction in ticket prices. The discretion to implement the fare reduction lies with the Chief Commercial Managers, and they will assess the occupancy rates and response of each train individually before deciding on any fare adjustments.
Passengers in Pune who were eagerly anticipating a reduction in ticket fares may feel disappointed by this news. While the decision by the Railway Board is a step in the right direction to make train travel more affordable, it is unfortunate that passengers in Pune will not be able to avail themselves of this benefit due to the high occupancy rates on the trains operating from the city.
