Ashwini Vaishnav told the reason why the online ticket of the train is more expensive than the counter ticket
Railway Ticket Booking: Why are online train tickets more expensive than railway counter tickets? Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav explained the reason for this in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. He said that convenience fee and transaction fee are levied on online ticket booking through IRCTC. This is the reason why travellers have to pay more for them than for buying tickets from the railway counter. Replying to a question by Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut, the minister said that IRCTC spends a lot on providing online ticketing services. Therefore, a facility fee is charged. This money is spent on maintenance, upgrading and expansion of the ticketing system. In addition, customers also have to pay transaction fees to banks.
Sanjay Raut had asked why online ticket booking costs more money than the counter. In response to this question, the Railway Minister described online ticketing as one of the most interesting features of Indian Railways. He said more than 80% of the reserved tickets are now booked online. Ashwini Vaishnav said, IRCTC’s online ticket booking facility frees travellers from the hassle of going to the reservation counter. This saves both time and money.
What kind of shulk on online booking?
IRCTC or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation is the online ticketing service provider of railways. This facility allows people to book tickets sitting at home. However, there are some additional fees for this as well. These charges are of two types: convenience fees and transaction fees. A convenience fee is charged by IRCTC for providing its services. This money is spent on running and improving the online system. Transaction fees are charged by banks for online payment processing.
According to the Railway Minister, IRCTC spends a lot on providing online ticketing facility and a facility fee is levied by IRCTC to meet the cost of maintenance, upgradation and expansion of ticket infrastructure. In addition, customers also pay transaction fees to banks.
More than 80% of reserved tickets are now being booked online
However, booking tickets online is a bit expensive. But, it is also more convenient. Booking tickets from home saves time and travel expenses. You don’t even need to queue up a long queue at the counter. This is why most people now favour online ticket booking. As the Railway Minister said, more than 80% reserved tickets are now being booked online. This reflects the growing use of the online facility. Online booking relieves travellers from the hassle of going to the reservation counter to book tickets and also saves travel time and transportation costs.
