* GR train is going vacant in peak season and peak summer!!! It could happen in IR
* There is not a single direct train between Ranchi and Bhopal. How come Rly officials know that there is enough traffic between the 2 cities to fill a fully ac train (16GR with 1150 berths!!). More over there is not a single big city on the 1200km route (only a few medium cities above 2 lac population like Sagaur, BSP, Rourkela) which can provide more than 100 paxs. I fail to understand the logic behind choosing this destinations of this train.
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more... Had they introduced the train on routes where long waiting lists are existing like Hatia-Mumbai, Hatia-Pune or Hatia-Delhi or Hatia Bangalore, there would have been good patronage!
* This is a special fare train with a fare of Rs 1795/- (as per IRI) for just 1197 km journey from Hatia-BPL as against normal GR fare of 900-950 Rs! Starting such a special fare train on new route devoid of big cities, speaks volumes about the marketing skills of IR. Looks like IR have no feeling of the pulse of the market/ passengers.
* Instead of making it a normal fare train, the IR decide to stop it. If fares are kept normal, the occupancy could have been at least above 50% and revenue collection would have been about double of the present.
* For the paxs(esp ACIII class), the message from IR is clear- if you want to avail special train, pay through nose or cancel your journey.
Muhawara "Rassi Jal jaayegi par Bal nahin jaayega" IR par to 100% lagoo hota hai!!! "Train cancel kar denge par special price nahin hataayenge".
* Even with normal fares, IR is making profits in ACIII class, but IR want to loot this class by charging 200% of the actual cost on one hand and continue to pamper the poor by charging only 20-25% of actual cost and comfort the rich ACI & ACII by sparing them from draconian fares! Is our society gradually heading back to age old setup of 2 classes, Rich (Jameendaars/Darbaaris/ Seths) and Poor (Debt ridden farmers/workers)?
* IR is run from govt./Public money thru budgetary support and introduction of such trains give an indication that the monopolistic arrangement of rail transportation in our country in the hands of govt, is leading to misuse of public money and breeding inefficiency at the cost of tax payer's money. Role of Govt should be to govern & regulate the transportation in country, and not to high-jack the most efficient mode of transport (i.e. rail transport) through monopoly.