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Railway to bring loyalty programme for frequent train travellers

In last two days it has earned additional Rs 1.65 crore from premium train passengers.

New Delhi: Defending its decision to raise passenger fare under the so-called flexi-fare system, state-run Indian Railways on Sunday said it will also launch customer loyalty programme which will allow frequent travellers to earn mile points and redeem it for another journey.

“It is in the thinking. We will bring loyalty programme for frequent train travellers,” railway board member (traffic) Mohd Jamshed told reporters.

Undettered by the public outcry and sharp reactions from opposition parties, Jamshed sought to differentiate flexi-fare system from surge pricing and said the new formula would continue. He noted the encouraging response received in the last two days with demand exceeding supply.

The railways had on September 8 announced to adopt flexi-fare system for its premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto. The new system which came into effect the following day makes travel costlier by upto 50 per cent and generate an additional revenue of Rs 500 crore in the current fiscal.

In last two days it has earned additional Rs 1.65 crore from premium train passengers. While railways has in the recent past skipped from raising passenger fare in its annual budget fearing public backlash it has indirectly put burden on travellers by raising cancellation charge and now adopting flexi-pricing.

In the current round, fare would go up by a maximum of 50 per cent while for 3AC the increase would be 40 per cent.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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