Raosaheb Danve, Minister of Railways announced on April 29 that the fares of the Mumbai AC locals will be reduced by 50%. The decision walked in as the daily commuters demanded a reduction in the fares. On Sunday, the railway ministry rolled out the new reduced fares for the AC locals. To a surprise, the ministry also reduced the fares of First class travel in non AC locals.
AC Locals In Mumbai And First-Class Now Cheaper
AC travel between CSMT-Thane and Churchgate-Borivali earlier cost ₹180 and now has reduced to ₹95. First-class travel will now cost ₹85 instead of ₹150. The minimum fare for 5km in AC local will be ₹35 instead of ₹65 and for first-class in non-AC will be ₹25 instead of ₹50.
Freebies Cause Economic Crisis
Tripathi, who reviewed price increases for Central and Western Railways on Saturday, dismissed any possibility of restoring concessional fares for seniors or reducing seasonal ticket prices for AC locals citing Sri Lanka as an example where populist policies have led to severe economic difficulties. The ministry had withdrawn concessional fares while running special trains during Covid. Keeping in mind the pandemic and covid protocol, except for 4 categories of Divyangjan and 11 categories of patients and students, all other concessions had been withdrawn.
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