** Even if a train is operating at low occupancy say 30-40%, outright discontinuation of 500 such trains at one go is not the best solution. Discontinuation means discomfort to 30-40% such passengers which means putting a a sizeable 400-500 passengers in quandary.
** Each train has to be individually studied and efforts are require to improve the occupancy & profitability to acceptable levels by making possible modification/ changes to such trains like
- Rake composition- Resorting to increase the class of coaches with more demand (esp ACIII in...
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most of trains, use of ACCDD in popular trains)
- Changing category of train- Changing the class of train to attract maximum number of passengers especially conversion of Humsafar/ Yuva/ Duronto etc type of lesser patronized trains to SF, Conversion of Fully AC Duronto into AC cum Non AC Duronto.
- Route change- rerouting the train if more traffic exists on alternative routes (of similar length)
- Changing destination(s) – Extension/ short termination
- Stoppages- avoiding stoppages (esp halt stations with very poor ticket sales or providing stoppages at potential high traffic stations (especially for Duronto/ S.K. trains)
- Timing - Fixing comfortable timings to suit majority of passengers
- speeding up of slower trains by reducing stoppage time, un necessary stopages, using train sets/ push pull operation etc can help improve occupancy
- Proper fare structure- Rationalization of fares, especially the flexifares, special fares, tatkal fares. Some classes are relatively undercharged like ACI, Non AC and some are relatively overcharged like EC, ACCDD, AC3E, etc