Railway ministry to brand trains

The Railway Ministry will brand trains to generate additional revenue. The branding will start with the Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains,  and later would be extended to other trains as well.

The ministry also plans to use entertainment services through audio and video programmes as a means of revenue generation. Passengers will be able to access content on demand.

Entertainment services shall be provided through audio (PA systems) and video systems (personal devices of the passengers) on trains and platforms. Provision of content such as movies, shows and educational programmes shall be in paid and unpaid formats.

These non-fare services are expected to generate Rs 4,000 crore a year. The new policy initiative, finalised by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, targets Rs 16,500 crore in the next four years from advertisements and other services at stations and on trains. For this, advertisers and service providers are being given contracts for five and 10 years.

However, long-distance trains fail to fetch many advertisements, say officials. According to advertisers, the short-duration stay of these trains at stations does not give any advantage in terms of display.