Both HS and GR are all ACIII class train with 130kmph fit coaches, with generator cars at two ends, but the basic concept of the two trains is different. So it is difficult to compare them. However performance of both classes train can be analysed with respect to their intended benefits.
- WHAT IS GR
GR was introduced with a basic aim of providing lowest possible ac sleeper travel and hence was popular. A side middle berth was added to the normal ACIII coaches leading to 8 extra berths. Initially it was...
more... planned that GR coaches shall be a bit higher than normal coaches so that SMB is not very uncomfortable, but actually the height of coaches was not increased and SMB was introduced. This Side middle berth was extremely uncomfortable had proven as biggest drawback. Instead the same capacity could have been achieved without SMB by adopting a layout of non ac sleeper coach. A discount of 2-3% was given on normal ACIII fares
- WHAT GR SHOULD HAVE BEEN
The discount on GR fares should have been about 10-12% in proportion to the number of seats increased plus the discount for bedroll. Since GR was planned to carry "garib people" who normally travel by non ac sleeper class. It was expected that there will be many GR trains on almost all routes which shall carry otherwise non ac SL clas paxs, but this does not happen. Practically these people cannot travel by GR due to high fare (just 2-3% lesser), the ultimate purpose of introduction of GR remains unfulfilled. This train should have been introduced on no profit no loss basis with fares (without bedroll) about 30% lesser than normal ACIII and should have fully harnessed its 130kmph speed potential to give avg speeds almost at par with Rajdhanis running on the same route. Had this been done we could have seen 24 coach daily GRs operating on all the major routes between Metros. The fare could have been brought further down by avoiding power cares at ends through use of SG coaches or HOG enabled locos. Ideally ac GR fares should be anywhere between 1.6-2 times of non ac SL fares.
-WHAT IS HS
HS on the other hand is a value added ACIII class service with additional features in coaches and about 15% extra fare over normal ACIII class. It is aimed to give better facilities to paxs. HS have just been introduced and much cannot be said about their achievement/performance.Its successful depends very much on the avg speeds and punctuality of these trains with respect to Rajdhanis running on the same routes. Flexi fares on these trains shall prove to be a big dampner to the proliferation of these trains on IR network as airlines have already eaten up IR's share of ECC/ACI/ACII paxs and soon luxury buses do the same to ACIII/ACC/ACII paxs of IR.
-WHAT HS SHOULD HAVE BEEN
15% extra fare as a premium for extra facilities is quite justified, but Flexi-fare should not be there. In order to be earn high patronage, this Premium train have to have high priority like Rajdhani trains.
If IR has to compete with airlines and roadways, and want to have a big share of ac class passengers, it has to forget about making big profits from these ac class paxs. Most of them are paying flexi/Suvidha/Prem.Tatkal fares through their noses due to compulsion and not by choice. The day they get suitable road/airline alternative they shall shun rail travel. It is better to treat loss making non ac classes separately and attempts should be made to get the subsidy reimbursed by Govt, instead of putting the burden on ac class paxs who in turn are swithing to air/road modes.
IR historically consider luxury availing AC class paxs rich persons who have sufficient spare incomes, but this notion is not valid today as majority of AC class paxs who travel ACIII are middle class and not the rich ones. The rich ones have migrated to airlines to large extent.
