Traveling by Rail Gets Costlier with the Advent of the New Financial Year
Traveling in the most prominent transport medium, the Railways, is now costlier, as hiked passenger fares and freight charges effective from today
The Indian consumers have been a troubled lot in the recent times, and have faced the heat of the global economic slowdown reflecting on the Indian economy. The advent of the new 2013-14 financial year doesn’t seem to be so rosy either, as hiked rail fares including freight charges are all set to take their toll on the average Indian, from the 1st of April. The hike is targeted at the revival of the cash strapped Indian Railways, as it is estimated to generated a total revenue of around INR 5000 Cr.
The passengers travelling in the sleeper and the second class will have some respite though, as the increased reservation fee and the superfast charges are lesser as compared to the ones levied on the higher classes. The reservation fee remains unchanged for the sleeper class and the second class, while for the varied AC classes, it has been increased by up to INR 25. In case of the Superfast charges, the hike is stipulated to be at INR 10 for the sleeper class and the second class, whereas for the AC classes it stands in the range of INR 15-25.
The Tatkal fee is the big one, which has been increased by 10% of the basic fare, for the second class, whereas for all other AC classes it stands at a whopping 30%. Cancellation and Clerical charges have been hiked by up to INR 50 for confirmed tickets, citing the bulk booking which agents and miscreants indulge in, as the primary reason.
It is clear from the moves of the supposedly ‘proactive’ government, that the lack of proper governance and a vision for the Indian economy is being compensated for, by levying unnecessary charges on the Indian masses which is causing them to infuse their hard earned money in gaining access to some of the most basic facilities, such as public transportation.