Patronage of Premium trains have been badly affected by the dreaded & extortionist FlexiFares. Future of these trains is dependent on what IR do with FlexiFare schemes. Thre can be 3 scenarios
(1) If present flexifare scheme continues (first 10%-100% fare, next 10%-110%fare, next 10%-120% fare, next 10%-130% fare, next 10%-140% fare, & rest 50%-150% fare), the avg occupancy of Rajdhanis which used to be 90%-100% shall continue to be very low at 60-80%- additional revenue -500 Crore Rs/annum
(2) If flexifare scheme is diluted say (first 40%-100% fare, next 30%-110%fare, rest...
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30%-120% fare), the avg occupancy may hover around 90-95% with additional revenue of more than 500 crore per annum
(3) If flexifare scheme is withdrawn, all the Rajs shall be unable to fulfil the traffic demand and many New Rajs and frequency increase shall be required which will again bring more revenue to IR. The biggest advantage is that the paxs travelling by air shall travel by these trains leading to loss of volume, higher fares and much lesser passenger share for airlines. Weakening of competitor (airlines) shall be a big gain for IR as well as nation. More over bad image/publicity of IR due to flexifares will be gradually washed out.
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If Flexifare scheme is withdrawn, the proposed third Mumbai Raj, even if operated daily, shall be sold out round the year. Similarly on almost all Raj routes coach augmentation/frequency increase/ and additional Rajs shall be required which will bring additional revenue for IR. Similarly Shatabdies, Durontos, HS too shall get a boost of much higher patronage.