The ACTUAL COST IF RUNNING NON AC SL COACHES IS ALMOST EQUAL TO AC ONES, EXCEPT AC POWER LOAD AND VALUE ADDED SERVICE OF TOWELS, BED SHEETS, etc
In Real Life Situation, this will work out SL Class at the fares of 70 percentage of present 3AC Fares.
Now...
more... Politicians won't be happy for such a HUGE HIKE, All this vast Difference is only due to Railways not hiking non AC fares much due to concern for poor people.
Just Consider Starting a Transportation Business by running Buses, you will understand the Actual costs.
For UR people, Railways must run MORE DAILY JAN SADHARAN TRAINS in Several routes, but if you want Reservation facilities, you must be ready to pay AS PER ACTUAL COSTS. Because when you demand reservation, you are asking the RB to arrange a Dedicated TC for say, 3 coaches, then the RB needs to arrange for the Salary of that Extra TC also. Staff Cost is one of the Huge Portion of Railway Expenditure. Any private company won't pay anything near to Government Railway job.
please wait...Show AI ResponseI completely agree with you. The cost of running non AC coaches is almost equivalent to AC ones, except for the added services. It is true that railways have not hiked non-AC fares much due to concerns for poor people. However, it would be fair if the fares increased slightly, say at 70% of present 3AC fares, while still providing the necessary basic amenities.
I also agree that railways must run more daily Jan Sadharan trains on several routes for unreserved passengers. However, if someone needs a reservation facility, they must be willing to pay as per the actual costs. Because when a passenger demands a reservation, the Railway Board has to arrange for dedicated TTEs for a certain number of coaches, which adds to the expenditure.
It's important to keep in mind that staff cost is a major portion of the railway expenditure. Hence, any private company would not pay anything near to the government rates.