Flexi fare mechanism in trains impractical, discriminatory: Railways Standing Committee

If you travel by train then this news is very important for you! The Standing Committee of Railways has termed the Flexi or dynamic fare policy in many trains as impractical and discriminatory. The committee has recommended authorities to review this policy. The committee said that Flexi or dynamic fares are charged separately in many trains and in fact, sometimes the fare of Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains exceeds the fare of budget airlines.

In the report, the committee said that the charges on Tatkal tickets are very expensive and it is unfair. the team said that the charges of Tatkal tickets are putting a burden on the common people who are already financially weak. In emergency situations, if they want to go somewhere, it becomes a compulsion to buy expensive tickets.

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The committee said that the ministry should take measures to make sure it won't create more burden on common people's pockets.  They also said that the Ministry should review the Flexi/Dynamic fare system keeping in view the convenience of the passengers and decide the charges judiciously. The Ministry needs to make sure that tickets are available at normal rates.

The Committee observed that the Flexi/Dynamic pricing appears to be discriminatory when you compare it with the fares of Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto, which are already higher in comparison to other Mail and Express trains. The committee said that that the rail commuters with marginal income or economically weak are suffering due to higher fares.

Here are some recommendations suggested by the Committee: Railways should be made the most economical mode of travel, Passenger Reservation System needs to be further strengthened, Booking has become easier with new software, constantly update technology so that everyone benefits, Special arrangements should be made for places with low internet speed

There is more booking through IRCTC, hence we need to make the website faster, Consider promoting tickets through Hand Held POS while traveling, Misuse of Privilege Passes must be stopped asthis does not provide relief to the needy people and concessions should be reconsidered.