Suvidha train to Pune costs Rs5,625, airline Rs3,675

Nagpur: The next time you plan to travel by a Suvidha train, it is better to check the airline fares too, which could well be cheaper than these premium trains. On Saturday, Parikshit Prabhune, a regular traveller to Pune, wanted to book online ticket from Nagpur to Pune for a journey on July 20. He was shocked to find that AC-II fare of train number 82506 Kamakhya-Pune Suvidha Express was Rs5,625, while that of AC III was Rs4,640.“At the same time, Indigo flights on the same day cost Rs3,675 with travelling time of 1.15 hours. Whereas, Suvidha Express takes over 15.30 hours to reach Pune,” said Prabhune.
“Even the train’s sleeper class fare was Rs1,710, more than what luxury private buses charge for travel to Pune. This is off season and the railway dynamic fares seem to be flawed. Railway Board needs to think about it,” said Prabhune.
Central Railway senior divisional railway manager (SrDCM) KK Mishra says, “It may be possible. The air fare calculations cannot be compared to the railways, and our dynamic fares are connected with demand. It is possible the demand may be more in railways than flight.”
Prabhune says it may be true but at what cost? “Neither are the fares cheap nor is the train timing suitable. The train departs from Nagpur at 11.15pm and reaches Pune at 2.45pm next day,” he adds.
On Sunday, Indigo had increased the fare for morning flight to Rs4,000, which was still cheaper than the train fare.
“Charging such fares by railways under the garb of dynamism will add to loss of passengers and revenue. Besides, it will also set a wrong precedent for private players and transporters, who may increase fares to exploit consumers,” says Prabhune.
Consumer rights activist Avinash Prabhune says railways AC class fares are already on the higher side, limiting further scope of increase. “Air travel is becoming so competitive that railway passengers prefer to travel by air, saving time and money,” he adds.
Prabhune says domestic air travel has grown double digits over the last few years and 15% over 2015-16.
BOX
FLYING LOGIC
Suvidha Express Fare
* AC II: Rs5,625
* AC III: Rs4,640
* Sleeper: Rs1,710
* Time: 15.30 hours
Flight Fare
Indigo : Rs3,675
Go Air: 4,101
* Travel Time: 1.15 hours