Rail Budget 2019: How Platform Ticket Price Changed From 2014 to 2018

New Delhi, January 31: The Union Budget 2019 will be presented on February 1 by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at around 11 am. This will be Narendra Modi government’s sixth budget and the last full budget of the incumbent BJP-led NDA government before the 2019 Lok Sabha Polls. In the wake of Jaitley's ailing health, sources informed that the budget this year is likely to be presented by interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal.

The Indian Railways, in the 2018 budget, had announced a slew of initiatives for all its passengers. Apart from the various services, the Railways increased the fares of trains and hiked the price of platform tickets. Also, it introduced a dynamic pricing structure in 2016 for its premium trains such as Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi. Budget 2019: Date, Time, Expectations and Where to Watch Live Streaming of Interim Budget.

Minimum Train Passenger Fare:

In November 2015, the government had hiked the minimum train passenger fare from Rs 5 to Rs 10. The railways also increased the minimum chargeable fare in non-suburban services at par with the platform ticket.

Change in Price of Platform ticket from From 2014 to 2018:

The price of platform ticket was hiked in April 2015, almost a year after the Narendra Modi government came to power in 2014. The rate of platform ticket was increased from Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 per ticket from 1st April 2015. In June, the government again hiked the rail fares by 14.2% with effect from 25th June, 2015 with an aim to revive the Indian economy. The hike saw a 14.2% increase in all classes of passenger fares and 6.5% in freight charges. The hike was also applied to tickets purchased in advance for journeys commencing on or after that date. Reports informed that the difference in fare for such advance tickets will be collected by ticket examiners during the journey.

What is a platform ticket?

A platform ticket is a rail ticket issued by railways that permits access to the individuals at railway platforms, but not to board and use any train services.

As several important works were stuck at various stages due to the paucity of funds, the Railways had said the hike would help it mop up an additional 8,000 crore in 2015-16. Reports inform that the UPA government had left passenger fares unchanged in the interim railway budget in February ahead of the general elections. Budget 2019 Expectations: Hike In Tax Exemption Limit, Sops For Farmers; Here's What's On Cards For Interim Budget on February 1. 

Dynamic Pricing No More:

On September 9, 2016, the Railways had introduced flexi-fare for premier trains with an aim to increase profits of Indian Railways. Around 140 premium trains including 44 Rajdhani, 52 Duronto and 46 Shatabdi Express trains. Under this scheme, the base fare increases by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold, subject to a prescribed limit. There was no change in the existing fare for first AC and economy class. Budget 2019: As Middle Class Eyes Sops, A Look at Current Tax Slabs & Rates.

After the move was criticised by several political parties and passengers, the Railways in 2018 decided to scrap the concept of dynamic trains across 40 odd trains in India. The scheme was completely scraped for 15 premium trains and in trains with less than 50 per cent occupancy. Reports informed that the scheme will also be removed from total 32 trains during lean periods.

No Separate Rail Budget:

The 92-year old custom of presenting a separate Railway budget was eliminated by the Narendra Modi government on 21 September, 2016. Jaitley became the first one to present a combined Union budget 2017.

The year 2018 was a year of of many firsts for the Indian Railways. The year witnessed some successful events like India's fastest train, rolling out its first air-conditioned local train, commissioning its longest bridge and converting a diesel locomotive into electric. Union Railway Safety has been given the highest priority and this year saw the lowest ever rail accidents.

Rail Budget 2019 will focus on high speed trains, modernisation and safety in Indian Railways. Moreover, several announcements regarding increase of passenger amenities including upgradation of coaches in trains, better escalators, lifts, Wi-Fi service at railway stations , and more Divyang friendly stations are likely to be announced.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 31, 2019 12:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).