IR now is gradually getting into complex fare structure like the telecom (mobile) operators do. But a basic difference is there in the two cases. Telecom operators tried (succesfully) to attract customers by reducing rates gradually through discounts and drastically increased their volumes. So customers are a happy lot. IR on the other hand is trying to extract maximum revenue from the passengers by increasing rates where ever possible with reduction in its market share. So paxs are not happy and are gradually getting wary of continuous arm twisting.
If this policy is continued for long, a new competitor called luxury buses shall arise in due course of time and take away their premium paxs (ACIII/ACII) which are currently extorted to maximum...
more... possible extent and hence are giving profits to IR. Airlines have already snatched the share of super premium paxs-ACI,EC,ACII and are growing their volumes at brisk pace. Now it will be opportunity and time for luxury buses.
DFCs shall take away the significant part of bread & butter (i.e. freight). Soon pvt operators shall be competing with IR and running their freight trains in competition with IR freight trains after paying haulage charge to the DFC. But DFC has to be a separate entity than IR for a level playing field.
After a decade IR shall have even more share of nonac paxs/ losses if things continue in the same trend.