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Our Bureau

Bangalore, Feb. 26

The Air Deccan Managing Director, Capt G R Gopinath, on Monday said that the Railways' move to reduce train fares further indicates its acceptance that the low-cost carriers (LCCs) have started taking away its passengers.

"The fact that the Railways have reacted to the LCCs indicates its acknowledgment that train passengers are upgrading to airlines," Capt Gopinath told Business Line. He said the LCCs have broken social barriers by keeping airfares low. "Now an IBM employee sits next to a villager in an aircraft indicates a new classless class," he said. But he pointed out that unless the Railways reduce travel time, passengers will continue to prefer air travel. "When it takes two days to travel, passengers will look at air travel as a better alternative," he said. He said the Railways should learn from countries in Europe where trains run at over 200 km per hour. Business travellers prefer air travel as they can save on hotel charges as well time. "The Railways cannot be complacent any more," he said.

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