Train Fares are a factor of two things – the rate and the distance. The entire focus is on the rates, not on distance.
For example –
There are two broad gauge routes between Gurgaon and Ajmer.
1. Gurgaon and Ajmer via Jaipur – the distance is 411 kms
2. Gurgaon and Ajmer via Ringus – Phulera – the distance is 346 kms.
The savings is a distance of around 65 kms.
The Ajmer-Rewari via Ringus – Phulera has been converted to Broad Gauge around in 2009 while the Ajmer-Rewari via Jaipur was converted long time back. However, a large number of trains continue to ply on the old routes inspite of new and shorter routes which may have developed thereafter.
Say, 12957-12958 Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani – New Delhi – Ahmedabad. It at present plies on the Ajmer – Rewari via Jaipur route. However, if the route is changed there will be a saving of 65 kms i.e, around 7% of the total journey length of 934 kms at present and a consequent reduction in Travel Time and Train Fare can be expected.
Similarly, the train 12473-12474 Sarvodaya Express – Ahmedabad – Jammu Tawi via Vadodara, Kota, New Delhi on main line trunk route. The distance between Ahmedabad and Jammu Tawi is 1670 Kms, whereas Ahmedabad – Jammu Tawi via Jodhpur, Degana, Hisar (19027-19028 Vivek Express) is 1401 kms. However, if this route is changed there will be a saving of 269 Kms i.e., around 16% of the total journey length of 1670 kms at present and consequent reduction in Travel Times and Train Fare can be expected.
I also note that the infrastructure on comparable routes (Electrification, Double Lines) may not be equal, but I can definitely presume that it will be worth a feasibility study for all important trains and routes. The fact is that once a train is introduced, it’s route is never revisted in spite of new lines and rail infrastructure which may have developed thereafter.
What happens for intermediate station which fall on changed routes?
Indian Railways has a quota system wherein the stations groups are allocated quotas (or sets of seats / coaches). There can be a merger / demerger of multiple train sets to form new services which enable the railways to transport passenger from point to point using the shortest possible routes. Since the entire Ticketing system has been computerized, absolute demand & allotment to particular stations can be gauged and definitely – a large number of routes will emerge where there is benefit to passengers without loss of seats.
Benefit to Railways:
Reduced Travel Times will create a slack of rolling stock at the aggregate level – thus enabling for introduction of more train services without additional capex i.e., Can I introduce 12 train services by investing in 10 new rakes and 2 rakes released from slack created by operational efficiency due to shorter journeys and reduced travel times.
Best Regards,
Nirmal Ghorawat
Note: Distances taken from Time Table of Trains @ http://indianrail.gov.in/
This is the text of a suggestion submitted to the Indian Railways on their Budget Portal vide Reference “RLY-1452592701354”.
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My request is there is no train connectivity between Badrachalam Road to Badrachalam
just 31 kms a famous Piligrim centre of SRI RAM TEMPLE the place of rams vanavasa for
14years. there is a need to connect this place with out much cost. and many existing trains
facility to kachigud junction can be extended Yeasvendapur to kachiguda, Madurai to Kachiguda
ect
My request to Indian Railways for new train from MAJERHAT station ( MJT ) to some tourist point in part of India , their are lots of people are benefited specially Kolkata and south 24 paraganas district . Such as MJT to NJP/KLK/PURI/GHY/JAT/VSKP/JAIPUR etc etc. I hope my request are considarble by Indian Railways and think about it . Thanks
I request indian Railway authority to make sure of CCTV at all stations.And I urge Railway department to recover any damage caused by any person, by that particular person only and at the same time travelling passanger must keep the railway flatform clean and also train,who ever makes train dirty they must be penalized, otherwise in India no development will be done, because some political riots will damage public property intentionally.
please provide a direct train from Thanjavur to calicut or mannargudi to mangalore covering thanjavur and calicut on the way.
I always need to travel by two trains and have a break at coimbatore since there is no direct train.
kindly consider and do the needful.