Maharajas Express Completely owned by IRCTC: Delhi HC

Holding that state enterprise Indian Rail Tour Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is the "absolute owner" of luxury tourist train Maharaja Express, Delhi High Court bench comprising of acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Siddharth Mridul set aside its interim order to IRCTC to run this service jointly with Cox & Kings.

The argument put by the Cox & Kings counsel that the worldwide repute earned by the Maharajas Express is due to the marketing effort of the travel agency was set aside by the bench of the court. The bench observed that the fact that the train has earned world wide acclaim and that it is one of the most premier luxury train in the world, though true, does not give Cox & Kings the indefeasible right to run Maharajas Express.

Earlier the train was being operated by the Royale India Tour Ltd (RIRTL), a joint venture between Cox and Kings, India and IRCTC. Whereas the train Maharajas Express was owned by the IRCTC, Cox in Kings was the operator of the rail tours as per the agreement. Recently IRCTC annulled the agreement due to the nonpayment of haulage charge which was contested by Cox and Kings. 

Howerver, the bench of the High Court also observed that for bookings made for the train journeys beyond December 2011, IRCTC will take over those bookings from Cox & Kings and will ensure that the train would complete the season, albeit under the supervision of IRCTC to ensure that the third party interest is also not going to suffer.

source :-

http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/news/maharajas-express-completely-owned-by-irctc--23496.html

All aboard Maharajas Express: Most expensive rail ride to get more affordable




Maharaja Express Interior

 Soon Maharajas Express will be more luxurious and at the same time more affordable. Deemed the most luxurious train in Asia and acclaimed as one of the most regal ride in its category, Maharajas Express will now be operated by the Indian Rail Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). According to the officials, this Indian luxury train will now feature short itineraries which will considerably bring down the journey cost to as much as 50% of the earlier tariff with a promise of improved on board facilities.

Maharajas Express was launched in 2010 amid much fanfare as a uber-luxe train in India to cater to the high-end luxury tour segment. With a passenger capacity of 88 in 23 plush guest carriages which included a Presidential Suite build over whole carriage, Maharajas Express offers 4 pan-Indian journeys. Equipped with en-suite facilities such as Wi-Fi internet, LCD TVs, individual climate control, electronic safe and bathroom, this luxury trains is featured by various luxury travel bodies and magazines as one of the most luxurious trains in the world.


Earlier the Maharajas Express journeys were managed by Royale India Tour Ltd, a jont venture between Cox and Kings, India and IRCTC. Now this train will be run by IRCTC alone. According to the official guests looking forward to unique travel experiences will find new dimensions to this already uber posh luxury train. New package costs will be lesser and itineraries shorter to make the journeys more amenable to the discerning travelers.


As per the new plans for the Maharajas Express journeys, the tariff for Royal India journey from Delhi to Mumbai and Classical India round trip journey will come down as much as INR 500, 000, close to approximately US $ 9500. For more details regarding Maharajas Express journeys, tariff and schedules refer to the website of Indian Luxury Trains or the Railtourismindia.com.

Reference :-

http://www.indianluxurytrains.com/news/most-expensive-rail-ride-to-get-more-affordable-soon-23495.html

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Soon-royal-train-journey-within-reach/Article1-793025.aspx