Proposed hike in lower berth fare irks rail users

Among the recommendations, the committee has also reportedly suggested fixing extra fare on premium overnight train tickets and reducing ticket cost off-season. Understandably, rail users have been irked even before the ministry has brought the recommendations to the public domain.

“Should such ideas be implemented, accessible people would block quite a few of the lower berth seats. What would become of the rule insisting on allotment of lower berths to women, mainly the elderly and pregnant women? How would the women get lower berths?” said M Kishore Kumar, former member, Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee (DRUCC), Chennai Railway Division.

Echoing similar views, director of Traffic and Transportation Forum, Subramaniam said, “Most old age pensioners here draw only Rs 1,000 per month. Trains are the major source of commute. How could such people afford train tickets if the government demands more for lower berths, which, they have been availing without paying more.”

“Railways should put its real estate to better use and net additional revenue and not overprice ordinary sleeper class lower berths which is used more by poor and middle-class people the most,” said V Rama Rao, another director of Traffic and Transportation Forum. The reported recommendation has already triggered political reaction. PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss said, “Lower berth is a necessity, not a luxury. Charging extra for them is inhuman.”

“Overpricing tickets during festival seasons is unacceptable. All trains in southern railway zone are running full during all seasons. Operation of trains should be considered a service not a profit-making trade,” Ramadoss added. However, BJP leader and Member of Passenger Amenities committee, Indian Railways, Aseervatham Achary dismissed the recommendation as mere rumour, saying, “There is no such proposal of extra pricing of lower berths and window seats. It is a rumour.”