* It is surprising that IR is well aware of threat from aviation threat and still is continuing with Flexi/Suvidha/Special/PT/Tatkal fares and running the otherwise in demand trains with much less than 100% occupancy.
* Most of empty premium trains is a result of diversion of upper class pax to air which is growing at break neck speed of 20% per annum as against nominal increase in train traffic.
* Removal of flexifares and making catering optional in all premium trains can result in most of the premium trains run with...
more... almost full occupancy.Passenger traffic growth of premium trains which was growing at fast pace since a decade has stopped after implementation of flexifares.
* New aviation policy shall attract more & more paxs to airlines with low fares, new options of short routes and increasing the reach of aeroplanes to small & medium cities.
* One more serious competitor of IR which has potential to poach more ACIII, ACC, SL, IIS class paxs are more comfortable buses plying on ever increasing network of wide highways/expressways and removal of interstate barriers after implementation of GST.
* Ringing of Danger alarm bells is not a new thing for IR, they are continuously ring since years but necessary corrective actions by IR are still missing.There are many anti factors which were more important to captains of IR, than financial well being and market share of IR.