Indian Railways faces a dilemma. While it strives to offer cleaner, faster, and air-conditioned trains, a significant portion of passengers rely on cheaper, non-AC options. This creates a gap in revenue, as AC passengers contribute significantly more than non-AC passengers. The railways has been trying to increase the number of AC...
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coaches, but this could lead to overcrowding in non-AC coaches if the growth in non-AC passengers is slower than the growth in AC coaches. The affordability of AC travel is also a concern, as it is dependent on income growth in the economy. If incomes don't keep pace with ticket prices, passengers will be forced to travel in cheaper coaches, potentially leading to overcrowding. This is further complicated by the fact that the railways cannot significantly raise prices for non-AC coaches due to economic and political constraints. While the railways faces challenges, it's crucial to strike a balance between offering more value-added services and ensuring affordability for all passengers.