The revision of railway monthly season ticket rates, apparently bowing to pressure from Mumbai suburban train commuters, has benefitted many regular commuters in Karnataka.
The revised rates will come into effect from Saturday.
The Railway Ministry, besides revising suburban season ticket rates, has also revised non-suburban train ticket rates.
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The steep hike in the season ticket rates was effected due to three factors — increase in the basic fare by 14.6 per cent, monthly rates were calculated at the rate of 30 single journeys instead of the earlier 15 single journeys and introduction of additional distance slabs to calculate the rate.
Now, while keeping the basic fare hike at 14.6 per cent, the Ministry has decided to calculate the season ticket rate for 15 single journeys, instead of the proposed 30 journeys, and has retained the existing distance slabs. As a result, the first distance slab has remained up to 20 km and the rate is Rs. 100 instead of the proposed Rs. 150 (second class). The existing rate is Rs. 85.
With this revision, those travelling between Bangalore and Mysore will have to pay Rs. 525 for the season ticket, Rs. 65 more than the existing rate. Those travelling between Bangalore and Tumkur will have to pay Rs. 270 instead of the existing rate of Rs. 235.
The Hindu had highlighted the plight of monthly season ticket holders in these columns on June 24.