THE HINDU Editorial Vocabulary- September 10, 2016- Topic 2
The dynamic fare pricing announced for the Rajdhani,
Shatabdi and Duronto trains on an “experimental basis” has been justified by
the Ministry of Railways as a means to SHORE UP lagging passenger revenues. The Ministry says the cost per passenger
kilometre today is around 73 paise, while the Railways recovers only 37 paise.
The flexible fare system means only the first 10 per cent of seats and berths
will come at the base fare, with 10 per cent increases for every batch of 10
per cent sold. The increase will be CAPPED at 1.5 times the base fare. The 77 pairs of the three classes of trains
account for 13 to 14 per cent of the Railways’ passenger revenues. On the face
of it, the need to increase passenger fares is understandable. Without a ROBUST component of fare-based
revenue from passenger trains it will be difficult for the Railways to spend on
infrastructure and AMENITIES and focus on features such as safety — all of which are IMPERATIVES. The question is whether
the flexible fare system is the ideal way to do so.
First, these fare increases in the premium trains
for some classes could result in airfares being lower at certain times and
routes. This could WEAN away some train travellers. Second, the increase
in the prices under the scheme begins much too early, when a bare 10 per cent
of the seats are sold. As a result, it puts far too much pressure on passengers
to book early. It would have made more sense for the Railways to expand the
scope of Tatkal booking, which is currently limited to one day before travel. A
Tatkal scheme with flexible and CASCADING pricing coupled with an increase in the number
of tickets and an extension of the time frame would PENALISE
those who buy their tickets late rather than most passengers on a train. Third,
unlike taxi, bus or air services, train services in this country are a MONOPOLY.
The Rajdhanis and the Shatabdis are premium trains, which are favoured by the
relatively better off. The real worry is that the experiment may be extended to
include other long-distance trains in the future. A relatively poorer person
who makes a late decision to travel should not be priced out by such a system
by a MONOPOLISTIC provider
that aims to provide a public service. Yes, the Railways must find a way to
increase revenue from passenger traffic if it is to convert itself into a
healthy and self-sufficent organisation. The issue is what the best — or the
most PAINLESS —
way to do this is.
::::::::::::::::::::::Meanings with example
and Synonyms::::::::::::::::::::::
Shore: the land along the edge of a
sea, lake, or other large body of water.
Example: I took the tiller and made for the shore
Synonyms: seashore, lakeshore, lakefront, bayfront, beach
Capped: place a limit or restriction
on (prices, expenditure, or other activity).
Example: Council budgets will be capped
Synonyms: set a limit on, limit, restrict, curb
Robust: strong and healthy; vigorous.
Example: The Caplans are a robust, healthy lot
Synonyms: strong, vigorous, sturdy, tough, powerful, solid
Amenities: a desirable or useful feature
or facility of a building or place.
Example: Heating is regarded as a basic amenity
Synonyms: facility, service, convenience, resource, appliance, aid, comfort
Imperatives: an essential or urgent thing.
Example: Free movement of labor was an economic imperative
Wean: accustom (an infant or other
young mammal) to food other than its mother's milk.
Example: A breast-feeding mother will wean her infant before returning to work.
Cascading: (of water) pour downward
rapidly and in large quantities.
Example: Water was cascading down the stairs
Synonyms: pour, gush, surge, spill, stream, flow
Penalise: subject to some form of
punishment.
Example: You'll be penalized if you tap the account before age 59
Synonyms: punish, discipline, inflict a penalty on
Monopoly: the exclusive possession or
control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
Example: His likely motive was to protect his regional monopoly on furs
Monopolistic: the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity
or service.
Example: His likely motive was to protect his regional monopoly on furs
Painless: not causing or suffering
physical pain.
Example: A painless death
Synonyms: without pain, pain-free 