Laloo fare's well, no hikes

Travellerâ€™s the winner in this fight. Threatened by apex fares and low-cost airlines, railway minister Laloo Prasad decided against any rise in fares even for upper class passengers. A look at the data available on the railways reveal that the number of passengers travelling first class (mail and express trains) is expected to decline from 1.32 million in 2002-03 to 1.09 million in 2004-05. The number of AC first-class passengers may increase from 1.07 million in 2002-03 to 1.18 million. Stagnant and declining numbers in upper classes has stirred the Indian Railways from slumber. ET had reported that the Prime Minister had advised the rail minister against any increase in upper class fares, in the background of a reported move to make a modest increase in upper class fares in this yearâ€™s rail budget. According to industry experts, low-cost airways are threatening not only carriers like Indian Airlines, Air Sahara and Jet Airways, but the Indian Railways is also feeling the heat. Due to this reason, it is learnt that there was no mention of an increase in fares in todayâ€™s railway budget. Consider this: Rajdhani rail fare on Delhi-Mumbai route on AC Ist class is Rs 4,135 and second AC is Rs 1,817 per person, while 30-day apex fare on Jet Airways is Rs 3,495; first-class fare on Delhi-Kolakata route is Rs 4,215, second AC is Rs 2,250, while apex fare is Rs 3,590; On Delhi- Bangalore route, apex fare is 5,025, while AC Ist class and second AC are Rs 5,750 and Rs 3,085 respectively. On Delhi-Chennai route, AC Ist class and second AC are Rs 5,570 and Rs 2,995, while apex fare is Rs 4,260. Freight rates have also been left unchanged for all commodities except in the case of parcels. The railway budget is more inclined towards development and expansion of infrastructure, modernization of railways, replacement and renewal of assets, safety of passengers, cleanliness, improvement in passenger amenities, control over expenditure. All these measures are being taken to increase competitiveness of the Indian Railways versus apex fares and low-cost airlines.

Laloo fare's well, no hikes

Traveller's the winner in this fight. Threatened by apex fares and low-cost airlines, railway minister Laloo Prasad decided against any rise in fares even for upper class passengers.

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