Is Railway Fare Hike Justified?

These hikes in railway fares were long due. The past UPA 2 government has not hiked the fares in the last two years’ railway budgets. This move of hiking the railway fares might not work as effectively as possible in reviving the economic status of the Indian Railways but something is better than nothing.

......be possible unless the passengers are willing to pay more. This model has worked in all the parts of the world, but India.

As you have pointed out above charging more for better services has never worked in India because railways has been the common man’s means of transport. I live near a small railway station in the city and every morning I see daily wage labourers from all parts of the state use local trains to get to the city. Every other middle class family had booked railway tickets for summer vacation trips. No other country has a more extensive railway network than ours and as compared to US or UK where buses also serve as affordable means of long distance travel India cannot rely on the same because of the terrible condition of most roads.

......be bringing back the black money stashed in foreign banks and then use it for people welfare and make the railways self-sustaining.

The idea of bringing back black money is quite far-fetched as the Swiss banks are quite reluctant in disclosing details of depositors and the country’s financial laws allow these activities. It’s not just money from India that in these backs illegally people from most developed countries also do the same.

The best way for Indian Railway to recover money is to allow advertisers place ads both inside and outside the trains. Think of the thousands of trains running in the country, advertisers would love to pay huge amounts of money to get some ad space on these trains. Increasing the number of ads on stations shall also help. I know that this would somehow look tacky but think of how effective it will be.

Satya Swaroop DashThe best way for Indian Railway to recover money is to allow advertisers place ads both inside and outside the trains. Think of the thousands of trains running in the country, advertisers would love to pay huge amounts of money to get some ad space on these trains. Increasing the number of ads on stations shall also help. I know that this would somehow look tacky but think of how effective it will be.

What kind of trains are we talking about here? There are already Ads seen on many a train these days, what more is required? Is it because companies don't come up for advertisement/or just limited carriages of a train are up for such displays?

Anoop MathewWhat kind of trains are we talking about here? There are already Ads seen on many a train these days, what more is required? Is it because companies don't come up for advertisement/or just limited carriages of a train are up for such displays?

Yes you are right ads like these can be found on trains but not all trains have these kinds of ads. I was at the Bhubaneswar city station just yesterday and I could not find ads on any major long distance trains such as Rajdhani and Konark Express. There is a need now for the government to make sure that they are able to show companies that railways are an excellent means of advertising.

The local city bus service has managed to keep the bus fares to a reasonable thanks to this tactic.

There are few more steps the government should have ordered - that is going on an austerity drive and ensuring that the black money is bought back as soon as possible. I think they're already working on that front.

The ads are okay and they'll generate additional revenue; but I doubt they'll be able to offer any substantial help.