PUNE: The Central Railway (CR) is likely to witness marginal increase in passenger turnout for its train services on Pune-Mumbai route in the wake of fare hike being announced by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

Experts are of the opinion that the railway’s share in Pune-Mumbai traffic would not go up considerably but show only nominal rise owing to some advantages of MSRTC bus service. MSRTC scores over railways in terms of frequency of buses on Pune-Mumbai route with buses plying almost every half-an-hour. On the other hand, train service on this route is having comparatively low frequency with three trains departing in the morning hours and two each in afternoon and late evening hours.

“With recent fare hike by MSRTC, now its fares of AC buses for Pune-Mumbai route are nearly same as that of AC coaches of express trains. So, there is no question of this class of passengers switching to railways,” president of Railway Pravasi Group, Harsha Shah told Sakaal Times.

“The ordinary or semi-luxury bus fares of MSRTC have gone up by around Rs 20-25 for Pune-Mumbai route, which can be borne by passengers. So the passengers, used to MSRTC buses, would stick to it,” she added.

Executive president of Pune-Mumbai Railway Pravasi Sangh Hemant Tapale said that the railway administration could generate more revenue if it increases frequency of trains on Pune-Mumbai route in the wake of MSRTC fare hike.

Proprietor of Abhay Travels and authorised Railway Travellers’ service agent Manik Birla opined that the MSRTC fare hike would not add much to the railway’s revenue on Pune-Mumbai route.

DIFFERENCES IN BUS-TRAIN FARES

- Fare for AC chair car for Sinhgad, Pragati, Deccan Queen and other express trains between Pune and Mumbai is around Rs 240-270, which is nearly same as that of Volvo AC buses of MSRTC.

- Fares for II class journey of these trains are around Rs 70-75 (including reservation and other charges), which is almost half of the fares of semi-luxury buses of the state transport utility.