One
of the most loved words’ by Logistics companies is the word DYNAMIC PRICING. Most of travellers in India be it bus mode or
train mode or aeroplane mode are familiar with the Law of Dynamic Pricing.
Read
this IRCTC
document for Salient features of
Premium Special Train on Dynamic Pricing and also this document
for Salient features of Premium Tatkal(PT) Quota on Dynamic Pricing.
Readers
are familiar with the vagaries of dynamic pricing. In view of the fantastic
response to these dynamic fare options, Railways has decided to bring in one
more ticket service under the dynamic fare ambit.
The
ticket service is
Platform Ticket cost. The railway platform ticket has been hiked from INR5
to INR10 and the new rate will be from 01/04/2015.
Railway
Ministry have issued the necessary directions to all Zonal Railways to print
the revised tickets on top priority and ensure supply to all stations well in
time. However as it will take time for the new tickets reach the respective
railway stations, the existing stock of tickets may be used with the rate
corrected with a stamp.
Apart from
the physical sale of platform tickets at ticket counters, platform tickets are also
issued through SPTM & UTS or other machines, and such software will be modified to collect the
revised rate.
And,
here is where the dynamic concept kicks in. The Ministry of Railways has
delegated the power to Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) to increase the rate
of platform tickets beyond Rs.10/- to regulate rush at platforms during
specific requirements like mela, rally etc.
As
a customer friendly initiative, Railways can explore the following options to
maximise customer happiness.
a) One free
platform ticket with every IRCTC reservation slip.
b) SMS based platform ticket booking. This was
supposed to be introduced way back in 2006 but never took off.
c) SMS
alerts to the registered mobile numbers, in case the respective DRMs decide to
increase the rate beyond INR10/- on any day.
d) Introduction
of Platform ticket booking on www.irctc.co.in
e) Displaying
the current day’s platform ticket rates on the railways ministry website.
f) Exclusive
Mobile App to ascertain the current’s day’s platform ticket rate.
g) Discount
on booking platform ticket in advance.
h) Random 50
free platform tickets to passengers’ relatives and friends booked via IRCTC.
