Title - Shatabdi fares likely to slashed on selected routes

Railway is planning to slash ticket prices of Shatabdi Express on selected routes due to poor occupancy. Railway says many of these trains fail to attract 100% occupancy on routes where large number of AC buses operate.

On an experimental basis last year slashed fares of Mysore-Bangalore Shatabdi and Ajmer – Jaipur Shatabdi Express. This move gave instant results to railways and occupancy jumped to 100%.

Without giving much details, two likely routes on which rates of Shatabdi Express can reduced are Ranchi-Kolkata and New Delhi-Moga routes. Railway is planning to reduce fare by upto 30%. They will be brought on par with the highest class of public transport by road.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had earlier said all possibilities were being explored to ensure that train seats/berths don't go "unreserved".