Utilization of Shatabdi service between AII-JP-NDLS

 

Parimal Kasliwal, DyCAO/T/NWR

 

Ø     2015/16 Shatabdi Express runs between New Delhi-Ajmer via Jaipur. This service is available for 6 days in a week. Beginning 01.09.2004, the service from/to NDLS is not available on Wednesdays.

 

Ø     This prestigious service is not being patronized as it should be. Utiliasation /occupancy of the train no. 2016 Ex-AII to NDLS & JP to NDLS, for the year 2003-2004, was reviewed and it was found that average occupancy of the train is nearly 30% only.

 

Ø     Statement of month wise utilization of train no. 2016 (AII-JP-NDLS) from April-2003 to March-2004 is enclosed as Annexure.

 

COMPETITION

 

1.The rail distance between JP-NDLS is 313 km while by road it is 265 km.

 

2. The traveling time by Shatabdi from JP to NDLS is 4 hours 35 min. while end-to-end by bus (JP Bus stand to Bikaner House, India Gate, New Delhi) is 5 hours. For airline, the journey time is 40 min but with airport transfer & check-in, it comes to 3 hours.

 

3. 2414 Puja Express departs JP at 1615 and arrives DLI at 2200 hrs (daily). The fares are ;

 

                   1st AC                   Rs. 1,194/-

                   2nd AC         Rs.    635/-

                   3rd AC         Rs.    411/-

 

4. At almost an hour frequency, luxury (AC/non-AC) buses are running between JP-DLI (Up to Bikaner House/ISBT) round the clock.

 

5. As per data collected from RSRTC, occupancy of luxury buses is almost 95% while anecdotal evidence of airline occupancy is also nearly the same.

 

7. An Express highway of world standard has been made between JP-DLI (4 lane with grade separation) which has reduced car taxi traveling time to 4 hours.

8. Air conditioned car taxies are available at Rs. 4.5/km (Indica, 3 seats) and Rs. 5.5/km (Qualis, 6 seats)) with night halt charges of Rs. 100/night which are used by day trippers (same day going-coming) and overnight stayers.

 

(the above works out to be (JP-DLI):

          Indica (day trip)/per person = 265*2*4.5/3/2= Rs. 397.50

          Qualis (day trip)/per person = 265*2*5.5/6/2= Rs. 242.91)

 

Comparative fares JP-DLI (per person in Rs.)

 

By Railways (Shatabdi)

By Railways (Puja)

By Roadways

By Airways

By Taxi

Executive Class    1,020/-

1st AC  1,194/-

A.C.    425/-

Normal   2,400/-

Indica

397.50

Chair Car                535/-

2nd AC  635/-

3rd AC  411/-

Deluxe 240/-

On Special Day          960/-**

Qualis

242.91

 

** This is across the counter rate of Indian Airlines flight, twice a week. Advance Purchase Fares (APEX) for various airlines varies as per advance booking days.

 

9. Way side facilities offered to travelers by road (bus, taxi) are of very high class on the JP-DLI National Highway.

 

Suggestions to increase Earnings/patronage

 

1.     Punctuality to be maintained as frequent  (or even intermittent) loss of punctuality leads to loss of confidence amongst passengers.

 

2.     Competitive pricing is required as other modes (road/air) are offering better rates, central/choice location in Delhi (roadways/taxi) and shorter time and lesser fares (airlines).

 

3.     Wide publicity and availability of instant reservation (by telephones).

 

4.     Puja Express (departure JP at 1615 hrs., arrival DLI at 2200) offers wide choice as regards to class of travel, location (Delhi instead of New Delhi). Differential pricing (i.e. possible rationalization of fares for both Shatabdi & Puja Express) is required.