Thousands of railway passengers travelling from Pune are set to benefit from lower fares as Central Railway converts several long-running special trains into regular services. While the move has been widely welcomed for making train travel more affordable, changes in originating stations have triggered mixed reactions among commuters.
The decision is part of a broader initiative by Central Railway to regularise 14 special trains across the Pune, Solapur, and Mumbai divisions. By removing the “special train” status, passengers will no longer have to pay the premium fares that were applicable on these services.
Three Pune Trains Become Regular Services
Among the trains being regularised are the Pune-Kolhapur Sahyadri Express, the Hadapsar-Harangul Express, and the Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express. These services had been operating as special trains for an extended period and had become popular among regular travellers.
The Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express, in particular, serves a large number of passengers travelling between Maharashtra and Bihar, including migrant workers, students, and families. The regularisation of these services is expected to reduce travel costs significantly for frequent travellers.
Lower Fares Bring Relief
The biggest advantage for passengers is the reduction in ticket prices. Since special trains generally carry higher fares compared to regular services, many commuters believe the move will make railway travel more affordable.
Regular passengers travelling between Pune and Kolhapur, as well as those heading towards Bihar, have welcomed the decision, stating that the fare reduction was long overdue. With railway travel remaining one of the most economical modes of transportation in India, the change is expected to benefit thousands of travellers every month.
Terminal Changes Trigger Concerns
Despite the positive response to lower fares, not everyone is satisfied. Several passengers have expressed concerns over the shifting of train origins from Pune Junction to other stations such as Khadki and Hadapsar.
The former Sahyadri Express will now operate as the Khadki-Kolhapur Express, while the Hadapsar-Harangul service will continue from Hadapsar station. Many commuters argue that Pune Junction remains the most accessible railway station for a majority of travellers and that the new arrangements could create inconvenience, particularly for senior citizens and passengers carrying heavy luggage.
Need for Better Passenger Awareness
Another concern raised by passengers relates to awareness about the changes. Frequent travellers have urged railway authorities to conduct extensive publicity campaigns and ensure proper announcements regarding revised train numbers, schedules, and boarding stations.
Passengers fear that inadequate communication could lead to confusion during the initial weeks of operation, especially among those accustomed to boarding from Pune Junction.
A Positive Move with Some Challenges
Overall, the regularisation of these trains represents a significant step towards making rail travel more affordable and accessible. While the reduction in fares has been widely appreciated, the success of the transition will depend on how effectively railway authorities manage the shift in terminals and communicate the changes to passengers.
For now, most travellers appear willing to welcome the benefits of lower ticket prices, even as they hope for smoother connectivity to the new boarding points.
Summary
Central Railway has converted several Pune-origin special trains, including the Pune-Kolhapur Sahyadri Express, Hadapsar-Harangul Express, and Pune-Danapur Amrit Bharat Express, into regular services. The move is expected to lower ticket fares significantly, benefiting thousands of passengers. However, changes in originating stations from Pune Junction to Khadki and Hadapsar have sparked concerns about accessibility and passenger convenience.
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