Dynamic pricing of RZD: description, program and reviews

Russian Railways began selling tickets under the new rules, which are called "dynamic pricing of Russian Railways." According to the new system, the ticket price is not constant, but depends on the time, day of purchase and availability of seats.

Dynamic Pricing

The main number of domestic trains belong to FPK, it is these structures and the new sales system that spreads. So, let's see what is the dynamic pricing of Russian Railways. The principle of the system is such that the ticket price from the time of launch of the sales to its end is not constant. This means that throughout the entire period of implementation, the cost can vary both in large and in smaller directions. This depends on the ratio of the indicators of the rolling stock and the amount of time to send it.

From the beginning of 2017, the sale of tickets for Russia to long-distance trains starts 60 days before the departure date. Therefore, the ticket price will increase along with the customer demand. You can see the train belonging to the new system in the schedule, they are marked with a special icon.

Action program

The fare depends on the demand and the number of tickets already sold, from the season and day of the week. If you buy 60 days before the trip, the price of the railway ticket will be the lowest - the most profitable ticket in the compartment on the top shelf will be 15-20% more expensive than the seat in a reserved car, and the fare in the CB will not differ much from the cost of driving in the compartment car. As the tickets are redeemed, the tariff will rise in line with demand.

All trains can be divided into:

• Those in which the dynamic pricing of RZD operates;
• Those in which this program does not apply.

The fare can fluctuate. It depends on the various nuances and factors, which are recommended to orientate when buying a ticket. Here they are:

1. The term of the fare payment (the number of days before the departure of the train).
2. Number of empty seats (loading wagons);
3. Demand and rhythm of demand (depends on the time of departure and arrival, the day of the week and the season).
4. Level of competition.

On the routes included in the new program, tickets for all zones of rolling stock can be purchased from the first day of sales launch. For any individual route, train and zone of travel, different pricing policies are used.

Nuances

As the train is filled and the departure date approaches, the full route rates are increased. However, the cost of the ticket in different parts of the way can vary disproportionately. In conditions of high demand for certain sections, the fare is almost the same as for the full route. The situation is similar with those routes and zones where small demand is traced, that is, even on the day of the train departure, lower tariffs are used. This method is used for demand below the expected level.

In addition, the fare depends not only on the day of the week, seasonality, but also on the time of day. For example, the main passenger traffic falls on Friday, in the evening, as people plan to spend the weekend in another city and return in the evening on Sunday. Accordingly, the number of tickets at a reduced rate during this period is limited.

The fare is significantly reduced in those time periods when people travel a little. For example, after the end of the New Year holidays. It is during these days that the minimum tariffs apply. During periods of mass travel (during school holidays or holiday holidays), ticket prices approach the maximum mark, as it is due to increased demand.

As a rule, the fare for a train traveling on a route at 4-5 in the morning is significantly lower than for trains leaving in the evening. Accordingly, if a person is very important time frame, then the ticket price for him will be much higher. It should be noted that the monitoring of demand, based on the results of which a certain price policy is being built, is held on days and weeks.

Without dynamic pricing

If the pricing program does not work on the route, the high tariff is due to the fact that the trains are sorted out quickly in the parking cars (and more often at short distances from the settlements, so there is practically no room for the full route), and the price for places in Compartment cars for many is high. As a result, there are no tickets in the reserved seat, and in the expensive compartment everything is practically free.

Seasonal coefficient

After it becomes clear in general terms how the dynamic pricing of RZD operates, the theme of the fare remains open. When passenger traffic increases due to seasonality (Christmas holidays, holidays, school holidays), RZD increases the fare for transportation in accordance with the established coefficients. There is an established (basic) ticket price, taken as a unit. Then the price changes for the reasons described above.

The coefficients for passenger transportation of Russian Railways have been used for a long time. On the routes with the new program they do not work, therefore, when RZD launched dynamic pricing, the seasonal coefficient actually lost significance. However, there are still routes on which these coefficients are still used, and in this connection they have undergone some amendments in 2017.

Innovations

Extra charges (10% from above to the ticket price) are used this year from the moment of maximum demand:

• In the New Year holidays (in January from 1 to 8).
• On a long weekend in February (from 22 to 28).
• On May holidays (from April 27 to May 9).
• During the summer holidays (from June 9 to August 31) a surcharge of 20% is applied.

It is worth noting that compared with 2016 this year, the periods of increase in tariffs are much less. However, there is an unpleasant moment, namely a 20% increase in the tariff during the summer holidays (in 2016, there were 15%). But for all dates, which are not affected by the increased seasonality factor, this year introduced a lowering of 10%, respectively, tickets will be even cheaper than last year. In 2017, there are no tariffs with a coefficient equal to one.

Program Benefits

So, we continue to consider what the dynamic pricing of Russian Railways means. The advantages of the system are obvious: first of all, this is due to the simplified scheme for the return of travel tickets. If there is a need to return the purchased ticket, the traveler is returned the amount by which he was purchased (unless the refund terms imply penalties).

The cost has become more flexible and depends not only on seasonality (with the dynamic pricing of RZD, summer prices do not apply) but also on the date of acquisition. Also, among the advantages of the new system, it is convenient to note the convenience of selecting a tariff taking into account the travel period and the planned costs.

What trains do not operate dynamic pricing?

Dynamic pricing of Russian Railways is used only for places in compartment, luxury and CB, the system does not operate in general and reserved cars, because the cost is fixed and regulated by the state. In addition, the system does not apply to commercial trains, "Sapsans", "Swallows" and foreign trains belonging to another carrier. According to the government decree, the program "Dynamic pricing of Russian Railways" does not apply to routes where the train is the main mode of transport for travel to other cities and where alternative transport is not provided for.

The new system is not summed up with discounts, shares and special tariffs from RZD. For example, dynamic pricing does not stack with discounts for retirees and does not extend to the cost of travel for travelers who will be on the road on New Year's Eve.

This system operates not so long ago, and today it is still difficult to give an unbiased assessment of its effectiveness and usefulness. Dynamic pricing of RZD reviews is different. Many have already managed to assess the benefits, but there are those who are dissatisfied with the program. It functions not only on all routes, but in the intentions of the railway company to cover the largest number of trains. To clarify the information about the action of the program in a certain direction, it is possible on the official portal, as well as on the hotline number.

How can you save on dynamic pricing?

Having considered the fundamentally dynamic pricing of RZD tickets, many passengers have a logical question: "How to get a railway ticket with the greatest benefit?". Here are a few ways:

• Monitor the cost, especially on the opening day of sales, when it is minimal.
• Make trips on weekdays and unpopular time.

• Purchase a ticket in advance. Since the sale is now open in two months, many have the opportunity to buy tickets at an affordable price and choose the place among the first (when buying online).
• Choose the class of the car. When sales are just beginning, the cost of tickets to luxury cars is not very different from the coupé.
• Plan the date of travel. It's good for those who do not have time limits and there is a possibility to choose a not very convenient option for other passengers, for example, when the train leaves on a working day, at night.
• Get to the destination in many ways. From time to time you can save a lot by getting, for example, on different trains with a transfer or train and bus.

Briefly about dynamic pricing

Being guided in the new program of RZhD and how it operates is not so difficult, now everyone knows this. As a result, you can plan your trip in advance, save money and even reach your destination in more comfortable conditions. The main thing is to understand that the earlier a ticket for a train is purchased, the cheaper it will be, the higher the class of the car, the more expensive it will be, the lower the demand for a route, the less travel costs will be.