₹465 ticket costs ₹1,415; Premium Tatkal fares hit passengers hard during Onam

Payyannur: Malayalis living outside Kerala had to pay up to three times the regular train fare to return home for Onam. Despite the Railways operating special trains, there was little relief from the steep prices.

The Railways is operating 112 special trains during the Onam season this year. The services are running from August 16 to September 6. This has helped families living outside Kerala reach home early. However, there are fewer trains for those planning to arrive closer to Onam, forcing many passengers to pay hefty amounts under the Premium Tatkal quota.

On Monday, passengers who booked Premium Tatkal tickets from Chennai to Kannur on the West Coast Express had to pay ₹3,515 for a third AC berth, compared with the regular fare of ₹1,190. The sleeper fare was ₹1,415, against the regular fare of ₹465.

The sleeper fare on the Egmore Express was ₹1,515, compared with the regular fare of ₹450. On the Yeshwanthpur-Kannur Express, passengers paid ₹1,320 for a sleeper berth against the regular fare of ₹390. A third AC berth cost ₹3,025, compared with the regular fare of ₹1,025.

On the Guruvayur Express from Tambaram to Ernakulam, the sleeper fare was ₹1,740, while a third AC berth cost ₹4,040. The regular fares were ₹505 and ₹1,325, respectively.

For the Netravati Express from Mumbai to Kannur, the Premium Tatkal fare for third AC was ₹3,025, compared with the regular fare of ₹1,485.

Even fares on trains operating within Kerala have shot up. On the Maveli Express from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, passengers were charged ₹3,450 for a third AC berth, against the regular fare of ₹795.

A passenger who booked a ticket from Delhi to reach Kerala on Onam day (Thursday) paid ₹2,955 for a sleeper berth to Kannur. The regular fare is ₹1,015. From Chennai to Kannur on Onam day, a sleeper ticket cost ₹1,360, compared with the regular fare of ₹455.

Premium Tatkal replaces regular Tatkal quota

Tatkal tickets are often the last hope for passengers trying to secure a train berth. However, the Railways has shifted Tatkal quota berths to the Premium Tatkal quota on several trains.

On the Maveli and Malabar Express trains, 110 sleeper berths have been shifted to the Premium Tatkal quota. More than 100 berths on trains operating to Kerala from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi are also available under Premium Tatkal.

Under Premium Tatkal, fares rise as the departure time approaches, based on a dynamic or flexi-fare system.