In a surprising turn of events, the Indian Railways is set to revamp its pricing strategy for premium Suvidha trains, making air travel from Mumbai to Patna a more cost-effective option. The decision comes amid growing discontent over the surge pricing of Suvidha tickets, particularly during the festive season rush for Chhath Puja.
Come November 24, a budget airline ticket from Mumbai to Patna will set you back approximately Rs 7,000, whereas a Suvidha ticket for the same day will cost a hefty Rs 9,395. This stark difference has prompted the railways to rethink its dynamic fare structure for Suvidha trains.
While the dynamic fare system will still be in place for Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains, Suvidha tickets will now follow a more transparent pricing model. The surge pricing of Suvidha tickets has triggered a wave of frustration on social media, with passengers expressing their displeasure over the exorbitant ticket prices.
The Mumbai-Patna Suvidha 2AC ticket, for instance, currently boasts a base fare of Rs 2,950 with dynamic charges amounting to Rs 5,900, bringing the total to Rs 9,395, inclusive of taxes and other charges. In comparison, a last-minute budget airline booking for the same route would cost around Rs 18,000, while an advance booking for November 24 comes in at approximately Rs 7,000.
The Suvidha train service, introduced in 2015, features a flexible fare structure with prices varying based on booking rates and seat availability. With five slabs, each accounting for 20 percent of total seats, the fare structure starts with the Rajdhani base fare plus a Tatkal charge in the first slab. As passengers move to subsequent slabs, the fare increases, with the final slab capping at three times the base slab.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has assured passengers that the number of special train trips during this festive season will exceed last year’s by more than two-and-a-half times. To accommodate the surge in passengers, the railways have scheduled 6,754 extra train trips between October 1 and December 31, a significant increase from the 2,614 trips operated during the same period last year.
While dynamic pricing remains a pivotal business strategy for the railways, the move to reconsider the surge pricing for Suvidha trains reflects a commitment to fair pricing and passenger satisfaction. As the railway system evolves, passengers can hope for more equitable pricing structures that balance the needs of both the railway and its passengers.
