Expensive platform tickets continue to burn passengers’ pockets

Mangaluru: The sky-high railway platform ticket prices have become a burden on coastal rail users. The prices, which were hiked for the purpose of covid infection control, have been reduced elsewhere in the state but ticket prices remain expensive in coastal railway stations.

In June, platform charges were increased from Rs.10 to Rs.50 at Mangalore Central and Mangalore Junction stations under the Palghat division. Konkan Railways had hiked the charges from Rs 10 to Rs 30 at Surathkal, Mulki, Udupi, Kundapur, Bhatkal, Kumta, and Karwar stations. At the time, the railways had said that the fee hike was temporary.

The fee has already been reduced to the earlier price of Rs.10 at stations under the South-Western Railway, including Bantwal, Puttur, Subrahmanya Road, and Bengaluru. But, the raised prices continue in the Palghat division.

Konkan railway has clarified that the hiked platform prices would continue till October 31 and the decision to reduce prices or not will be taken thereafter.

Commuters face problems:

Except for Kerala, the infection rate has come down across the country and most of the trains have started running normally. The passenger numbers have also risen but the non-reduction in platform entry fee has created a problem. People have been forced to pay exorbitant amounts just to meet passengers, bid farewell, or bring their luggage.

Platform ticket equals travel fare!

A woman, who arrived by train at Mangalore Central, with the ticket costing Rs 55 for the journey. The husband had to pay Rs 50 for a platform ticket to help carry her luggage.

Palghat Railway Users’ Consultative Committee member Hanumantha Kamath agreed that the expensive platform entry fees are burdening people. He also assured that the matter of price reduction will be raised at the committee’s next meeting.