Lok Sabha Question No. 2750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-10
Subject: Vacancy after Introduction of Flexi Fare System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2750 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.07.2019

## VACANCY AFTER INTRODUCTION OF FLEXI FARE SYSTEM

2750. SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a large number of seats in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains are going vacant after the implementation of Flexi Fare System; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether the Government is considering a revision in the Flexi Fare System and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2750 BY SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN  DHANORKAR  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 10.07.2019  REGARDING  VACANCY  AFTER  INTRODUCTION  OF  FLEXI FARE SYSTEM

(a)  &  (b):  Passenger  traffic  over  Indian  Railways  is  not  uniform.  It varies during lean and peak periods and this lean and peak period is also not uniform for all parts of the country. Moreover, trains running on popular and convenient timings with lesser stoppages and running time  are  generally  well  patronized  and  also  experience  waiting  list almost throughout the year.  However, other trains not having these features  are  chosen  by  passengers  for  travel  only  as  a  second alternative and are, therefore, not fully patronized.  The occupancy of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto Express  trains also varies accordingly. However, overall occupancy of Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto Express trains during the financial year 2018-19 has been approximately 98%, 76% & 94% respectively.  The corresponding occupancy figures during the current financial year 2019-20 (up to May) have been approximately 110%, 83% & 105% respectively for Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto Express trains.

Further, to improve the occupancy of all trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains, the following discount/rebate in fare schemes have been offered:-

- (i) 10% rebate  in  basic  fare  is  given  on  vacant  berths/seats  booked after  preparation  of  first  reservation  charts  in  all  trains  including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Express trains.
- (ii) Discounted fare has been offered for the passengers of Bengaluru City-Mysuru  and  Mysuru-Bengaluru  City  sections  in  12007/12008 Chennai Central-Mysuru  Shatabdi  Express  and  for  the  passengers of  New  Jalpaiguri-Malda  Town  in  12042  New  Jalpaiguri-Howrah Shatabdi Express.

(c):  Based on the feedback from different quarters, a committee was constituted  to  review  the  Flexi  Fare  scheme.  Further,  based  on  the committee's recommendations and other representations, the matter has been examined and Flexi Fare scheme has been rationalized w.e.f 15.03.2019 on an experimental basis as under:-

- (i) Discontinuation  of  Flexi  Fare  scheme  (Rajdhani,  Shatabdi  and Duronto  Express  trains)  from  15  trains  fully  and  from  32  trains during  pre  defined  lean  period  of  3  months  (February,  March  & August). Out of these, during pre-defined lean period, Flexi Fare has been withdrawn from 5 Rajdhani Express trains.
- (ii) Maximum  cap  of  Flexi  Fare  scheme  has  been  reduced  to  1.4 times from 1.5 times earlier in all Flexi Fare applicable classes.
- (iii) Graded discount has been introduced in Flexi Fare trains including  Rajdhani  Express  trains,  where  class-wise  occupancy is less than 60%, 4 days prior to scheduled departure of the train as under:-

| Occupancy   | Discount         |
|-------------|------------------|
| Up to 70%   | 20% on last fare |
| 70 to 80%   | 10% on last fare |
| Above 80%   | Nil              |

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