The Railways have decided to put in place the flexi fare system for premier trains – Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi from 9 September.
The base fare for Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains will be on flexi fare system, according to railways.
However, there will be no change in the existing fare for 1AC and Executive Class of travel in premier trains.
While 10 percent of the seats will be sold in the normal fare in the beginning, it will go on increasing by 10 percent with every 10 percent of berths sold with the ceiling limit at maximum 50 per cent depending upon the demand.
For 2AC and Chair Car, the maximum hike is 50 percent while for 3AC, it is 40 percent.
Other supplementary charges like reservation charges, superfast charge, catering charges, service tax as applicable shall remain unchanged.
There are total 42 Rajdhani trains, 46 Shatabdi and 54 Duronto trains.
Opposition parties were quick to condemn the government for the surge pricing.
The Congress’ head of communications, Randeep Surjewala, mocked the prime minister saying his promise for achche din for railways was yet another ‘jumla.’
He tweeted, “Modi Govt will collect addl. 1000 Cr by upto 50% hike in Duronto/Rajdhani/Shatabadi surge pricing. Acche Din for Railways is another Jumla.”
Modi Govt will collect addl. 1000 Cr by upto 50% hike in Duronto/Rajdhani/Shatabadi surge pricing. Acche Din for Railways is another Jumla.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 7, 2016
Aam Aadmi Party’s Preeti Sharma Menon’s tweet read, “Surge pricing for trains? All blows directed at the common man while Ambanis and Adanis milk the system.”
Surge pricing for trains? All blows directed at the common man while Ambanis and Adanis milk the system https://t.co/ifcMLKav1r
— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) September 7, 2016
Here are some other notable reactions on social media;
Surge pricing on popular trains launched by #ModiSarkar. How uber-cool is that, dear citizens? Modi Ji' s Ola la moment!! #SuitBootKiSarkar
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) September 7, 2016
In a monopoly market with limited supply of seats, surge pricing is not "market economy". It is looting the user. #Railways
— Ankur Bhardwaj (@Bhayankur) September 7, 2016
Pic 1 : Shekhar Gupta speaks against Surge Pricing
Pic 2 : Shekhar Gupta finds Surge Pricing as 'reformist' pic.twitter.com/RTDviaWiJs— Jitender Singh Khalsa (@jitenderkhalsa) September 7, 2016
Shameful for railways to introduce surge pricing for Shatabdi/Rajdhani etc given the shabby condition of many trains. Shabby is a mild word.
— Man Aman Singh Chhina (@manaman_chhina) September 7, 2016
