Festive rush sees steep hike in Suvidha train fare

The going rate of train tickets from the state capital to far off towns like Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli in the Suvidha specials were well out of the range of ordinary travellers.

In fact, AC fare in the Suvidha train was higher than the regular economy class air ticket. The Chennai Egmore -Tirunelveli (Train no: 82605), a class-II sleeper ticket cost Rs 1,315. Three-tier AC tickets are even more expensive, with the railway pricing them above Rs 3,000. Around 7 pm on Tuesday, a three-tier AC class ticket to Tirunelveli in the Suvidha train cost Rs 3,745 (regular fare Rs 1,010).

The same ticket to Madurai from Egmore has been priced at Rs 1,105 in sleeper class, against the regular normal fare of Rs 315. Notably, an economy class air ticket to Madurai on Tuesday morning was only around Rs 5,400. The price was so high that tickets were available in Tirunelveli bound Suvidha train even in III AC class around 8 pm on Tuesday. Ironically, travellers would get no value addition for paying through their nose.

Worse, rakes (a full train set) used for such Suvidha specials are mostly spare trains or coaches. Railway officials, speaking on condition of anonymity admitted that Suvidha trains were a money spinner.”

Second class sleeper ticket to Madurai- Rs 315

II sleeper to Madurai Rs 1,105 (Rs 315)

III AC to Madurai Rs 3,155 (Rs 815)

II sleeper to Tirunelveli- Rs 1,315 (Regular Rs 385)

III AC fare to Tirunelveli - Rs 3,745 (Regular - Rs 1,010)

Rs 1,105 - II sleeper (Regular - Rs 315)

Rs 3,155 - III AC (Rs 815)