Indian Railways flexi fare scheme good news: Wow! Tickets to get cheaper this Diwali

Indian Railways has been running festival special trains to clear the passenger rush during the festive season. This has come as a big relief for travellers. Currently, however, those who have not made their bookings yet, may find the ticket quite costlier due to the last minute rush as well as the flexi fare scheme. Even if you are booking tatkal tickets, it may cost you more due to the surge in demand. 

But good news is here! Indian Railways is all set to cut ticket prices. To passengers comfort, the public transporter is all set to scrap the flexi-fare scheme partially on around one-third of the 142 premium trains, reported TOI. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal may take a decision anytime soon. It's expected that the minister will make the announcement before Diwali.

The revised scheme may follow a formula used for the Humsafar Express trains in which the first 50 per cent berths will be sold at a 15 per cent higher price than the base price. The slab will change with every 10 per cent of the berth sold thereafter.

The railways has been facing criticism from across the quarters for the flexi-fare scheme. Flexi fare was introduced on 9th September 2016. During the Financial Year 2016-17 (September to March), 2017-18 and 2018-19 (April to June), Railway had earned approximately Rs 371 crore, Rs 860 crore and Rs 262 crore respectively from trains having the flexi fare. However, the CAG had come down hard on the Indian Railways while pointing out that a comparison with airfare for 13 sectors showed that travelling in an aeroplane was cheaper than train on a large number of routes.

The introduction of the scheme has also resulted in less occupancy, even in AC 3 tier coaches.

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"Post implementation of this scheme, there was decrease in occupancy in all classes except Sleeper class in Duronto trains. The occupancy increased only in a few Premier trains. Even in AC 3 class, which was one of the most profitable classes, the occupancy dropped significantly after the introduction of flexi fare and the vacant berths increased from 0.66 per cent in pre-flexi period to 4.46 per cent in post-flexi period," the CAG had said.