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The railways has withdrawn the ‘telescopic benefit’ on fares for multi-train journeys. so, passengers who don’t have a direct train to their destination will have to pay a higher fare
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The ‘telescopic benefit’ on fares is almost as old as the Indian Railways. According to this principle, which formed the basis of the Railways’ passenger fare structure, the longer a passenger travels, the lesser he pays.
For example, the fare in AC 3-tier for a journey of 500 km comes to Rs 574. When the distance increases, the fare increases at a decreasing rate. In other words, the incremental fare decreases as the length of the journey goes up. Hence, the fare for 1,000 km will not be Rs 1,148 (double of Rs 574), but Rs 895.
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The ‘telescopic benefit’ on fares is almost as old as the Indian Railways. According to this principle, which formed the basis of the Railways’ passenger fare structure, the longer a passenger travels, the lesser he pays.
For example, the fare in AC 3-tier for a journey of 500 km comes to Rs 574. When the distance increases, the fare increases at a decreasing rate. In other words, the incremental fare decreases as the length of the journey goes up. Hence, the fare for 1,000 km will not be Rs 1,148 (double of Rs 574), but Rs 895.
Apparently, it is because of computerisation! Physical presence at the PRS used to get you this benefit but not online. So, in order to level the playing field, withdraw the benefit from from the PRS.
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The move seems to be aimed at bringing parity between internet booking done through IRCTC and conventional booking done through the reservation counters. Since the introduction of online booking in major cities three years ago, the Railways has been expanding online facilities in a phased manner.
But the case of the through tickets was different, says an official. In the counters, the staff would check and cross-check the schedules at the junction stations before issuing the ticket, to ensure that you don’t arrive at the junction after your connecting train has left.
However, it was difficult to keep such a check online. Allowing people to book through tickets as they wish would have led to confusion and leakage of revenue, he says. So, the authorities flattened the field by denying the benefit at the counters. Almost all the facilities at PRS counters are now available online, minus the queue, at an extra cost.
But the case of the through tickets was different, says an official. In the counters, the staff would check and cross-check the schedules at the junction stations before issuing the ticket, to ensure that you don’t arrive at the junction after your connecting train has left.
However, it was difficult to keep such a check online. Allowing people to book through tickets as they wish would have led to confusion and leakage of revenue, he says. So, the authorities flattened the field by denying the benefit at the counters. Almost all the facilities at PRS counters are now available online, minus the queue, at an extra cost.
Man, this US style convenience...'for your benefit/convenience,we are pleased to
