While Railway Minister Lalu Prasad’s version of the Railway success story includes profits for the railways, no hike in tariff and a friendlier Indian Railways, the fine print is different.
Lalu’s schemes don't seem to care much for the UPA's aam aadmi. At least that's what his new, much touted tatkal scheme confirms.
So if you thought tatkal were tickets you booked during emergencies, five days in advance for an extra price, get your facts right.
Emergencies like accident, illness and even death can wait now. For the Railway Ministry, tatkal does not mean an emergency any more.
While the railways is now throwing open the tatkal quota for an extra price, it demands a two-month advance booking. So for those actually in a fix, tatkal is almost like a waiting list.
“Its a change we have made because the public wants it,” says MoS, Railways, N Rathwa.
So in the new scheme to be launched in a week's time, passengers with extra money can actually plan an emergency. For a higher price, all tatkal tickets can be sold out two months ahead of travel, leaving nothing for those who may really need it.
Passengers think it's an unfair plan. “Tatkal has lost its meaning. If you are booking tickets under tatkal two months in advance,” says a passenger Vikram Sinha
But it doesn't stop just there. The ministry has found more ways to make an extra buck. While under tatkal you pay for the entire journey that the train makes even if your destination is just half the distance, you will now also have pay over and above the regular tatkal charges if you travel in the peak travel season.
For a tatkal booking in the 10 months of peak season between September 16 and July 14, a sleeper class reservation costs: Rs 150. If it was the lean season which is only two months between July 15 and September 15 it’s Rs 75. It’s Rs 300 for the AC three-tier and two-tier in the peak season, and Rs 200 in the lean season. Similarly, it’s Rs 150 for AC chair car in the peak season and Rs 75 in the lean season.
In effect, except for two months, passengers actually end up paying more through the year.
So, come November 15 and emergency for the ministry is what money can buy.
Source:ibnlive.com
Lalu’s schemes don't seem to care much for the UPA's aam aadmi. At least that's what his new, much touted tatkal scheme confirms.
So if you thought tatkal were tickets you booked during emergencies, five days in advance for an extra price, get your facts right.
Emergencies like accident, illness and even death can wait now. For the Railway Ministry, tatkal does not mean an emergency any more.
While the railways is now throwing open the tatkal quota for an extra price, it demands a two-month advance booking. So for those actually in a fix, tatkal is almost like a waiting list.
“Its a change we have made because the public wants it,” says MoS, Railways, N Rathwa.
So in the new scheme to be launched in a week's time, passengers with extra money can actually plan an emergency. For a higher price, all tatkal tickets can be sold out two months ahead of travel, leaving nothing for those who may really need it.
Passengers think it's an unfair plan. “Tatkal has lost its meaning. If you are booking tickets under tatkal two months in advance,” says a passenger Vikram Sinha
But it doesn't stop just there. The ministry has found more ways to make an extra buck. While under tatkal you pay for the entire journey that the train makes even if your destination is just half the distance, you will now also have pay over and above the regular tatkal charges if you travel in the peak travel season.
For a tatkal booking in the 10 months of peak season between September 16 and July 14, a sleeper class reservation costs: Rs 150. If it was the lean season which is only two months between July 15 and September 15 it’s Rs 75. It’s Rs 300 for the AC three-tier and two-tier in the peak season, and Rs 200 in the lean season. Similarly, it’s Rs 150 for AC chair car in the peak season and Rs 75 in the lean season.
In effect, except for two months, passengers actually end up paying more through the year.
So, come November 15 and emergency for the ministry is what money can buy.
Source:ibnlive.com