I too have left 3a some time ago & SL long time before. Though still I book 3ac but only when journey is b/w 2300 hrs to max 0600 hrs, that too SU berth & in unpopular routes. Can't dare to take a 3ac journey for even 5 hrs in Mumbai - Prayagraj route or Delhi - Patna route. SL only if its very short distance & train is less crowded (like in last leg of its journey) or if I am in Rajasthan, I can give it a try.
Gone are the days (pre 2015/16) when even a journey from Ranchi to Yesvantpur was done in super packed SL of 12835 HTE - YPR SF.
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Regarding rake standardization, what they messed up is they are trying to change too rapidly. 9-11 SL to directly 2 SL. They could have continued with atleast 7 SL, 3 UR & rest as AC coaches.
Along with it run some Antyodaya trains on main line.
Reintroduce AC express concept on some routes.
Plan VBs bit more effectively, give aggressive TT, better food, try to keep avg speed of atleast 75 kmph on 110 MPS & 90 kmph avg on 130 MPS (do not give unnecessary slack, only little bit in end). Given the priority, they dont need slack.
& last, Try to increase Non - AC coach fares bit by bit (protest may be there by political parties but not that much by common man), can be done in the 1st yr of govt. formation, if don't want to take risk in last year.