A recent Indian Railways ticket has shocked the internet, with a premium tatkal ticket on the SMVB Howrah Express from Bengaluru-Kolkata on August 9 priced at an eye-watering ₹10,100. This has sparked widespread discussion online, particularly on Reddit, where a user shared a screenshot of the exorbitant fare.
The post drew attention to the fact that normal tickets on this route typically cost around ₹2,900. The Reddit user expressed confusion over why anyone would pay such a high amount for a 2A ticket on a superfast train, especially when a regular 2A ticket is significantly cheaper. “Honestly, I don’t understand who’d be willing to pay 10k+ for a 2A ticket in an ordinary superfast train between two well-connected metro cities when a regular 2A ticket is priced at 2.9k,” the user wrote.
Here’s The Post:
Posts from the indianrailways
community on Reddit
The debate revolves around the IRCTC’s introduction of the premium tatkal category, which employs dynamic pricing. Unlike the fixed rates of traditional tatkal tickets, the cost of premium tatkal tickets rises with demand, leading to these startling prices.
Criticism of the dynamic pricing model was prevalent in the comments. One Reddit user lamented, “That’s premium tatkal for you. Honestly I feel it is useless, either put these seats under tatkal or general quota. Such high tatkal charges and dynamic charges, doesn’t make sense.” Another commenter suggested, “One might as well travel without a ticket in 2nd AC and pay the fine; it would be less than that 10k.”
Some users questioned why anyone would opt for such an expensive rail ticket when cheaper flights are available. However, a counterpoint highlighted the needs of those who cannot fly or drive due to medical reasons, with one commenter noting, “There are folks who cannot fly due to medical reasons. There are also folks who cannot drive as well. I know this because I am related to a few of them. They are being squeezed due to these new policies.”
The discussion underscores growing frustration with the dynamic pricing system and its impact on travelers.