Central Railway came up with the costliest solution to control overfilling railway platforms. They have five times increased the cost of platform tickets, earlier the platform ticket price was ₹10 now the same ticket would be available at ₹50. These price hikes are implemented at major stations like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Mumbai, and suburban Thane, Kalyan, Panvel, Bhiwandi Road stations.
Vijay Salgaonkar a train commuter said, “No one goes to railway platforms for time pass, already the travel fare has touched sky, the common man is struggling to sustain with routine challenges and now this 50 Rupee platform ticket is an additional pinch.”
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Anup D’souza, a student staying in Diva said “I am jobless, I travel every day to search for jobs, from a cup of tea to tickets everything has become costlier, this platform ticket is an additional burden”. Why would someone go to railway platforms if they don’t have any reason or emergency?” Mumbai was locked down for almost ten months to control Covid.”
Last week, there was an uproar over a rise in the ticket fares of short-distance passenger trains; the Railways said the “a little high fares” are only to discourage needless tours.
When Afternoon Voice spoke to Chief Public Relations Officer of central railway Shivaji Sutar, he said, “We are just trying to control the overcrowding; those who have to travel outstation or those who want a place to sit and talk come and gather at railway platforms, many at times it difficult to monitor them, with the increased price only limited people will visit platforms”.
He stated further, the new rate came into implementation from 1st March and remains effective till 15th June this year.
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Vivek Avere a painter said, “I went to drop my parents to Lokmanya Tilak railways station, my father is a retired farmer and my mother a housewife, I am the sole bread earner for my family, to drop their luggage I had to buy a platform ticket for me and my friend. I was shocked to see the price of it”.
“Rs 100 is my three-time meal. People like me finding it difficult to breathe due to lack of jobs, family responsibilities, and above all price rise,” Avere added.
