Author – Sarthak Manral
Introduction –
As India moves toward its vision of a developed nation by 2047, the transformation of its transport infrastructure has become a primary driver of economic integration. Within this landscape, the Indian Railways—often described as the “lifeline of the nation”—is undergoing a paradigm shift. While the network has traditionally been valued for its reach and affordability, the burgeoning middle class and the rise of “mega-cities” like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai have created a high-demand market for premium, time-efficient travel.
Objectives-
Aims to analyse these shifting preferences across 40 respondents, specifically evaluating the four primary premium categories: Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Tejas, and Vande Bharat. By examining user ratings on a scale of 1 to 10, this study seeks to identify which service features—be it the legacy reliability of the Rajdhani or the technological edge of the Vande Bharat—resonate most with the modern Indian traveller.
Literature Review –
Literature Review 1: Modernization and Passenger Perception
Studies on the Vande Bharat and Tejas Express indicate that modern Indian travelers are increasingly prioritizing “time-utility” and aesthetic comfort over traditional ticket pricing. Research suggests that the shift toward semi-high-speed rail has successfully bridged the gap between conventional rail and low-cost airlines by offering superior “last-mile” connectivity and onboard technological integration.
Literature Review 2: Legacy Services vs. Service Quality (SQ)
Comparative analyses of Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express services highlight that while newer trainsets excel in technology, legacy brands maintain high satisfaction through consistent service quality and “sleep-travel” efficiency. Literature focuses on the SERVQUAL model, noting that punctuality and catering remains the primary determinants of the 1–10 rating scales used by passengers across Indian mega-cities.
Data Collection –
The data for this study was collected using a structured rating scale ranging from 1 to 10. A total of 40 students participated in the survey. The Premium Trains of Indian Railway were included in the study that are Shatabdi Express, Rajdhani Express, Tejas Express and Vande Bharat Express. The collected responses were analysed using One-Way ANOVA (Single Factor) to examine whether significant differences exist in student preferences across these Trains.
Data Analysis –
|
ANOVA |
||||||
|
Source of Variation |
SS |
df |
MS |
F |
P-value |
F crit |
|
Between Groups |
1.11875 |
3 |
0.372917 |
0.678624 |
0.566377 |
2.662569 |
|
Within Groups |
85.725 |
156 |
0.549519 |
|||
|
Total |
86.84375 |
159 |
|
|
|
|
Conclusion –
Ho: All are same
H1: Anyone one of them is different.
F= 0.6786
If P value of F is 0.6786 i.e. greater than 0.05, therefore we accept Null Hypothesis (Ho).
References –
- Rehiman, M., Das, D., Sivaprasad, K. I., & Junaid, K. C. (2024). Evaluating Service Quality in Semi-High-Speed Trains: Evidence from the Vande Bharat Express. Journal of Tourism, XXV(2), 1–11.
- Choudhary, A., Bansal, S., Prashaant, A., & Sharma, P. (2021). An analysis of satisfaction of passenger services offered in premium trains in Indian Railways with reference to northern zone. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 29(2), 198.