Few takers for year,half-yearly season tickets

In comparison,Central Railway sold more than a lakh first-class monthly season tickets (MST) and over 26,000 quarterly season tickets (QST) in April.

YST and HST were introduced last month to reduce queues at booking windows. Since suburban tickets cannot be re-issued if lost or stolen and since the value of HST and YST is quite high compared to MST and QST,commuters are shying away.

A railway official said,“As of now,the railways does not wish to pursue the sale of the new season tickets aggresively. YST and HST are more for commuter convenience than a revenue option for the administration.”

Also,the new season tickets are a relief only for MST-holders who can save close to 8 per cent purchasing HST or YST. A QST-holder pays nearly the same amount for HST or YST.

Mukesh Nigam,divisional railway manager,CR,said,“As of now,we have not suggested any changes in the ticketing policy. Commuters will have to safeguard tickets for six months or a year because the railways will not re-issue in the event of loss or theft.”

Sandeep Silas,DRM (WR),said,“We will have it (cold response to YST and HST and ticketing policy) examined at the appropriate level.”

He suggested railways re-issue tickets in case of loss or theft.

First-class season tickets

(value in Rs)

MST QST HST YST

CST-Kalyan 955 2,605 5,210 10,420

Churchgate-Virar 1,025 2,790 5,575 11,145

Second-class season tickets

(value in Rs)

MST QST HST YST

CST-Kalyan 280 770 1,540 3,080

Churchgate-Virar 280 770 1,540 3,080