NEW DELHI: The flexi fare scheme offered through the Railways has led to lower occupancy, despite the fact that the government has benefited through more than Rs 550 crore, the nationwide auditor has stated as it cautioned that the scheme might drive passengers to look at the option of air shuttle.
The comptroller and auditor basic (CAG) find out about on flexi fares in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains has discovered that “publish implementation of this scheme, occupancy reduced in all categories, with the exception of sleeper magnificence in Duronto trains”.
“The occupancy greater handiest in a couple of premier trains. Even in AC3 magnificence, which was one of the profitable categories, the occupancy dropped considerably after introduction of flexi fare and the vacant berths greater from 0.6% in pre-flexi period to 4.five% in post-flexi period,” CAG stated.
“Though Railways earned Rs 552 crore from passenger income from premier trains publish flexi fare gadget all over September 2016 to July 2017, there was degrowth of two.7% in selection of passengers, despite availability of higher selection of berths/seats,” the nationwide auditor seen.
The CAG, which tabled a report in Parliament on Friday, stated a survey conducted on passengers confirmed that they expected better high quality products and services with enhanced fare, which the Railways failed to supply.
The auditor additionally compared Railways’ flexi fare with air fare for various periods in 13 sectors. Its find out about revealed that air fares have been inexpensive than the respective train fares for numerous routes.
The CAG really useful that there was a “need for overview and fine-tuning in the scope of the scheme, in order that not handiest extra revenue is earned however selection of passengers additionally increases, thus, additional improving revenue”.
“While in air fares, prices of tickets building up with building up in call for, in flexi fare, there is a mounted building up in fares after each and every 10% of tickets booked, irrespective of the call for. By paying the next price for an air ticket, a passenger is ensured a confirmed seat, however a passenger who purchases a wait-listed train ticket through paying the next quantity does not have an assurance of a confirmed ticket,” the report stated.
“Thus, charging the next fare without providing confirmed seat/berth would drive passengers to discover different to be had possible choices,” it added.
In absolute numbers, CAG stated, the premier trains carried 2.4 crore passengers all over the publish flexi period as in comparison to 2.five crore passengers all over the pre-flexi period.
The comptroller and auditor basic (CAG) find out about on flexi fares in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains has discovered that “publish implementation of this scheme, occupancy reduced in all categories, with the exception of sleeper magnificence in Duronto trains”.
“The occupancy greater handiest in a couple of premier trains. Even in AC3 magnificence, which was one of the profitable categories, the occupancy dropped considerably after introduction of flexi fare and the vacant berths greater from 0.6% in pre-flexi period to 4.five% in post-flexi period,” CAG stated.
“Though Railways earned Rs 552 crore from passenger income from premier trains publish flexi fare gadget all over September 2016 to July 2017, there was degrowth of two.7% in selection of passengers, despite availability of higher selection of berths/seats,” the nationwide auditor seen.
The CAG, which tabled a report in Parliament on Friday, stated a survey conducted on passengers confirmed that they expected better high quality products and services with enhanced fare, which the Railways failed to supply.
The auditor additionally compared Railways’ flexi fare with air fare for various periods in 13 sectors. Its find out about revealed that air fares have been inexpensive than the respective train fares for numerous routes.
The CAG really useful that there was a “need for overview and fine-tuning in the scope of the scheme, in order that not handiest extra revenue is earned however selection of passengers additionally increases, thus, additional improving revenue”.
“While in air fares, prices of tickets building up with building up in call for, in flexi fare, there is a mounted building up in fares after each and every 10% of tickets booked, irrespective of the call for. By paying the next price for an air ticket, a passenger is ensured a confirmed seat, however a passenger who purchases a wait-listed train ticket through paying the next quantity does not have an assurance of a confirmed ticket,” the report stated.
“Thus, charging the next fare without providing confirmed seat/berth would drive passengers to discover different to be had possible choices,” it added.
In absolute numbers, CAG stated, the premier trains carried 2.4 crore passengers all over the publish flexi period as in comparison to 2.five crore passengers all over the pre-flexi period.
Flexi fares cost railways premium passengers: CAG
![Flexi fares cost railways premium passengers: CAG]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
July 21, 2018
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