Bhaiyya, blame it on all of the 7 Pay Commissions and Lalu & Mamata didi. Railways now can't increase fares (there is a way IR did not explore -- incremental increasing STs starting with 5 per month). Now, this could actually happen starting with next budget. Otherwise, IR could go the BSNL (once a Navratna, now not earning enough to pay salaries) way. Poor people graduated from paying 2 for tempo to 10 per ride, but train fares didn't change accordingly. Today, bus rides can't compete with IR. Govt or private.