With the Railways deciding to link Tatkal booking to dynamic pricing system, the passengers would have to shell out more to get a confirmed tatkal ticket. The Railways will sell 50 per cent of the tatkal quota tickets through dynamic fare system gateway. The Premium Tatkal Ticket scheme, which became operational in 80 trains from 1 October, is available only for online bookings. ‘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.
After booking of the first 50 per cent of the tatkal quota under the present tatkal scheme, the subsequent 50 per cent of the tatkal quota, defined as premium tatkal quota would be issued on dynamic pricing which means more the demand, more the price. ‘All zones have been asked to identify five popular trains in their respective zone,’ said the official. There is a 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. Under the scheme, passengers will have to pay normal tatkal fare for 50 per cent of the total tickets available.
But for subsequent 10 per cent tickets, 20 per cent more will be charged which means after selling 50 per cent of tatkal tickets, the national transporter will keep increasing the fare with the sale of tickets. For example, if there are 60 seats available in third AC coach of any train, then 30 tickets will be sold on normal tatkal fare.
After booking of the first 50 per cent of the tatkal quota under the present tatkal scheme, the subsequent 50 per cent of the tatkal quota, defined as premium tatkal quota would be issued on dynamic pricing which means more the demand, more the price. ‘All zones have been asked to identify five popular trains in their respective zone,’ said the official. There is a 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. Under the scheme, passengers will have to pay normal tatkal fare for 50 per cent of the total tickets available.
But for subsequent 10 per cent tickets, 20 per cent more will be charged which means after selling 50 per cent of tatkal tickets, the national transporter will keep increasing the fare with the sale of tickets. For example, if there are 60 seats available in third AC coach of any train, then 30 tickets will be sold on normal tatkal fare.