Amid criticism over introduction of dynamic surging fare in premier trains, the Railways, on Sunday, claimed that the response is “quite good” and the flexi-fare is still lower than airfare.

“Our flexi-fare system has got a good response and passengers have responded well to the scheme as there is about 30 per cent booking in the last two days,” Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohammed Jamshed said here.

The Railways has introduced the flex-fare system in Rajdhani, Shatadbi and Duronto trains from September 9, aiming at raking in ₹500 crore more during the current financial year.

Jamshed said the Railways has earned ₹84 lakh and ₹81 lakh more on September 9 and 10 respectively from the flex-fare system. According to the new system, passengers will be shelling out between 10 and 50 per cent more under the surge pricing system. While 10 per cent of the seats will be sold under the normal fare in the beginning, it will go on increasing by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold with a ceiling of 50 per cent.

Responding to the charge that train fare has now become costlier than airfare, Jamshed told reporters despite flexi-fare system, train travel cost is still lower than airfare.

Related Topics