'Rlys to offer discounts like hotels, airlines; flexi-fare to be revamped'

New Delhi: Just like the airlines and hotels, the railways could soon be dishing out discounts on tickets if trains were not fully booked, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Saturday, indicating a complete revamp of the flexi-fare scheme.

Goyal's remarks came days after the Railway Board formed a six-member committee to review the flexi-fare scheme.

Speaking after a day-long conclave of senior officials here, he said that the national transporter is studying a model of dynamic pricing, offered by the airlines and hotels.

"We have been deliberating on a dynamic pricing policy. So far we have been discussing that the price should not go up but I want to go a step ahead. I am exploring a possibility where suppose trains are not going full like in airlines we get discounted fairs.

"We will use (Ashwani) Lohani's expertise...like there is dynamic pricing in hotels. First the prices are low..then the prices go high and then later you get discounts on the remaining rooms through bookmyhotel or other websites," Goyal said.

He also questioned why flexi-fares only were meant for price increase of rail tickets.

"Just like the airlines and hotels where a person gets discount at that last minute, it (the railways) should also offer discounts on the routes with relatively low occupancy," he said.

The six-member committee, set up on December 11, has been mandated to recommend ways to offer a more lucrative scheme which may include loyalty and other benefits to the passengers. The board has also asked the panel to consider modifications or amendments to the flexi-fare system to offer passengers flexibility of rates during peak season, lean season or during week days, weekends or festivals. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 days.

The flexi-fare system, launched in September 2016, led to up to 50 per cent increase in fares.