New Delhi: Half of the Tatkal tickets on 80 trains have become costlier with the railways deciding to partially implement the dynamic fare system under which charges will depend on demand.
The decision, clearly aimed at mopping up more revenues by the cash-strapped railways, comes in the midst of festival season when there is a big rush of train travellers.
"It has been decided that 50 per cent of the existing Tatkal quota ticket shall be sold under dynamic fare scheme," said a senior Railway Ministry official today.
As per the scheme, 50 per cent of Tatkal quota tickets would be sold under the existing system and the subsequent 50 per cent under 'premium Tatkal' quota of dynamic pricing. It will mean more the demand, more the cost.
The 'Premium Tatkal Ticket' scheme will be applicable to 80 trains from October one and like Premium train, the scheme will be available online only.
Railway Board Member (Traffic) D P Pandey said, "The Premium Tatkal ticket scheme has been launched for 80 popular trains. All zones have been asked to identify five popular trains in their respective zone.
"We will see the response and then we will decide on extending the scheme to other trains."
He emphasised that only 50 per cent of the Tatkal tickets will be sold under the dynamic fare system while the rest will be sold on regular Tatkal fare basis.
There is tremendous rush for tickets during the festive season as passengers prefer to travel to their home towns for celebrating Dusshera and Diwali.
However, railways has described the scheme as a preventive measure to deal with the menace of touts.
"There were reports of genuine passengers being fleeced by touts. This will help facilitating needy passengers to get tickets," the official said. The scheme, applicable on selected trains, will increase the prices of Tatkal tickets and as an end result the train fare.
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