Cheaper Golden Chariot to soon run with short-haul trips

Soon, a royal holiday on the state’s own luxury express train Golden Chariot will no longer cost a princely sum.

The tourism department has decided to slash fares, increase its frequency and introduce a number of short hauls to put the train back on tracks.

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) chairman S A Hussain said, “To put the bleeding train back on tracks and ensure that all enjoy the luxury, we have decided to slash rates and also introduce short hauls. This has also found its place in the state budget this year. The train will soon make special short- haul trips like two nights and three days.

These shorts hauls are being planned between the Pride of South or Southern Splendour packages.”

Giving an example, Hussain explained that tourists can book a two-day and three-night trip at Rs 16,000 a day to see Mysuru or Kabini, along with Belur, Halebid and Shravanabelagola. “This is cheaper than booking a luxury resort in Kodagu. Similarly, tourists can also book a three-night, four-day trip to Belur, Pattadakal and Goa and back to Bengaluru,” he said.

He said the department is in talks with nationalised and private banks to offer tickets on easy instalments. “Negotiations are on, but no MoU has been signed. Talks with corporates are also on to offer the train for conferences and corporate trips,” he said.

These are just some of the many combinations the tourism department is discussing, according to Hussain. The department aims to introduce these services from October and will seek permission from railways, he said, and added that talks will also be held to reduce haulage charges.

An official explained that the Golden Chariot was hit when railways hiked haulage charges.

According to the initial contract, haulage charges were based on profit sharing and seasons.

But for the last three years, fixed haulage charges of Rs 43 lakh have been levied. In 2015-16 (from October to March) the train made 10 trips and earned Rs 494 lakh and in 2014-15, it made 11 trips for a revenue of Rs 547 lakh.

Normally, the train makes 17 trips but it was brought down to 12 because of high haulage charges.
DH News Service

Pride of South
Single Occupancy    26,000    1,82,000
Double Occupancy    22,000    1,54,000
Triple Occupancy    16,000    11,20,000

Southern Splendour
Single Occupancy    31,000    2,17,000
Double Occupancy    25,000    1,75,000
Triple Occupancy    20,000    1,40,000