EASTERN RAILWAY'S NOBLE COMMITMENT: SUVIDHA TRAVEL AMIDST FESTIVE CHEER
Kolkata, November 20, 2023 :
The Indian Railways had introduced the facility of Suvidha trains which allows people to book confirmed tickets on Indian Railways’ train routes. Also known as the Premium Express, the Suvidha trains policy was introduced by the Ministry of Railways back in 2015.
The move has been made owing to the fact that booking confirmed tickets during peak season can get irksome, and travellers often have to make do with RAC tickets. To allow people an easy way to travel, the Indian Railways introduced Suvidha trains, and this is especially applicable to people who book tickets at the last minute, in an emergency. Suvidha trains was introduced with the noble purpose to make things better for travellers looking to book railway tickets during an emergency.
During the festive season, Eastern Railway remains committed to providing a balance between affordability and operational sustainability during high-demand festive seasons ensuring seamless and convenient travel for passengers.
Festive periods witness an unprecedented surge in demand for travel mainly the last minute travel planners and emergency travellers. Revenues generated through dynamic pricing contribute to service enhancement measures. This includes maintaining and improving the quality of amenities, ensuring safety standards, and overall enhancing the travel experience for passengers.
Suvidha Trains are strategically scheduled to accommodate the increased demand during the festive season, providing passengers with flexible and convenient travel options.With a focus on meeting the surge in demand, Suvidha Trains offer increased ticket availability, allowing more passengers to secure seats for their preferred travel dates.
Eastern Railway has run two (2) Suvidha Special trains to New Jalpaiguri – one from Sealdah and another from Howrah during Puja season this year. The total earning as passenger fare from running of these 2 Special trains is Rs. 2215363/- with a total occupancy of 1378 passengers which means the average fare per passenger is Rs. 1607/- which is a bare minimum for catering the passengers in pick demand season.
In comparison if referred to the air fare from Kolkata to Bagdogra Airport even in lean season which is about Rs. 3200/- is much higher than the average earning per passenger from running these 2 Suvidha Special trains by Eastern Railway.
This clearly shows that Railways have not charged exorbitantly to the intending passengers rather earning from passenger is at the minimal point below which there was no operational feasibility ensuring safety and amenity standards.
Shri Kausik Mitra, Chief Public Relations Officer/Eastern Railway stated that, fare is on affordable side in comparison to the air fare maintaining quality of amenity, ensuring safety standards and overall travel experience of passengers.
