Airfare cheaper than train fare
Hyderabad, April 17: It seems flight ticket is much cheaper than the fare of AC compartments in premium trains. Long distance travelers prefer AC compartments, particularly in summer. Since AC compartments are less in regular trains, demand for premium trains is more. But the fare in these trains is almost double the price in normal trains.
The airfare from Hyderabad to Delhi, if booked two to three weeks before the date, will be from Rs 4,200 to Rs 5,000. For the same trip, passenger has to shell Rs 5,865 for AC first class in Rajadhani or Durantho express. Flight journey is only two hours while train passengers have to travel 22 hours.
Even if passengers are ready to bear the fare, tickets are not available. There is a long queue in the waiting list.
Indian Railways had withdrawn ticket concession offered to senior citizens and others during Covid-19. Even after resuming regular train services post corona pandemic, Railways didn’t restored the concession on train tickets.
The Railway Ministry said there are 12 lakh employees and 18 lakh pensioners in the department and expenditures are very high. ‘Already train tickets are sold at 50% concession to all. We have to consider restoration of concession to senior citizens and others,” the Ministry officials said.
