Central Railways (CR) has raised Rs 1.84 crore by selling advertisement space on railway tickets and reservation charts.
MUMBAI: Central Railways (CR) has raised Rs 1.84 crore by selling advertisement space on railway tickets and reservation charts.
"Mumbai division of Central Railway (CR) has started issuing multi-coloured reserved tickets with advertisements on both sides. Space was also sold for reservation chart put up on the trains and station. We earned a combined revenue of Rs 1.84 crore," Assistant Commercial Manager Bimal Roy told.
The new tickets launched on June 18 are marginally bigger than the ones issued earlier and have advertisements on both sides.
"From advertisements on tickets alone we have fetched Rs 1.30 crore for the first year. We expect a 15 per cent rise in the second year. While from reservation charts, it was Rs 5.4 lakh," Roy noted.
Earlier the railways had a proposal of black and white advertisement at a rate of 15 paise per ticket. But it got no response and the plan was subsequently shelved.
The Railway Board then permitted multi-coloured advertisements. The rate was fixed at 20 paise per ticket.
The Railways had invited bids from advertisement agencies and only one company turned up, Axis Adprinting Media (India Private Ltd).
The CR has given contract for printing 10 crore tickets over two years, which is the average ticket consumption for two years.
"We have given one year contract on trial basis for 36 lakh reservation chart papers. The agency is giving the paper free of cost. Depending upon the response, we will raise the rates for tickets," Roy said.
Currently, advertisements are limited to Bombay Division of CR. But it will gradually start in other divisions also. Under CR there are total 89 reservation centres, which will be having these tickets.
"Presently it is in Central Railways. But it will spread to other zones too. They have reportedly begun the tendering process in this regard," he said.
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