Flights lag trains on bargains for short-haul travel

Mumbai/New Delhi: Budget carriers may be a good bargain on long-haul routes such as Delhi-Mumbai or Delhi-Bangalore. But on shorter routes, it is still cheaper (and sometimes more convenient) to take a train.
A comparison of air and rail tariffs on key short-haul routes shows that the Indian Railways score strongly over aviation companies – even at the maximum rail fare.
With air fares having recently risen 10 per cent all round on account of fuel surcharges, the differential has widened.
Of course, one is paying a premium for the convenience of arriving at the destination in one and a half hours. But even this is iffy. If the weather is bad, the flight is often cancelled. Plus, with today’s airport security, one needs to check in at least two hours ahead.
Some airline companies suggest that the fare difference vis-a-vis the Indian Railways is offset by shortage of seats.
True, advance bookings may yield cheaper fares but not necessarily a confirmed seat.
03/05/07 P R Sanjai & Anirban Chowdhury/Business Standard

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Categories: General Aviation May 2007, Low Cost General May 2007