Lok Sabha Question No. 684 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Flexi Fare System
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. UDHAYAKUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 684 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## FLEXI FARE SYSTEM

684. ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the number of passengers in premium trains after the introduction of flexi-fare system declined when compared to pre-flexi period;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  is  considering  to  introduce  any scheme  to  increase  the  number  of  passengers  in  all  classes and trains; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 684 BY ADV. M. UDHAYAKUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.02.2019 REGARDING

FLEXI FARE SYSTEM

(a) & (b): The concept of flexi fare was introduced with effect from 09.09.2016. An analysis of number of passenger booked in Rajdhani, Duronto & Shatabdi Express trains (having flexi fare) during  the  period  from  September  2016  to  August  2018  (Flexi Fare  period)  has  revealed  that  there  has  been  an  increase  of 0.95% in the number of passengers booked in these trains as compared to corresponding period of previous years (Non Flexi Fare period).

(c)  &  (d):    Indian  Railways  continuously  strive  to  improve passenger traffic through various measures including the following:-

- i. Augmentation  of  on-board  capacity  by  attachment  of additional coaches, running of special trains during festivals and holidays, running of Suvidha trains etc.
- ii. Rationalisation of Flexi Fare scheme in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Express trains through:
3.  Discontinuation  of  Flexi  Fare  in  15  trains  for  full year and in 32 trains for pre defined lean period of 3 months (February, March & August)
4.  Maximum  cap  of  Flexi  Fare  scheme  has  been reduced  to  1.4  times  in  all  flexi  fare  applicable classes
5.  Introduction of Graded discount in Flexi Fare trains and  Humsafar  trains,  where  class-wise  occupancy is less than 60%, 4 days prior to scheduled departure

- iii. Extension of Alternate Train Accommodation Scheme of VIKALP  scheme  on  all trains to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers
- iv. Streamlining of Computerised Passenger Reservation System  to  facilitate  timely    preparation  of  Reservation Charts    and  transfer  of  vacant  berths  to  next  remote location
3. v.
4. Increase in berths earmarked for RAC passengers
- vi. Discounted fares offered in certain sections like Mysuru Bengaluru-  Mysuru    Sections,  Ahmedabad  -  Vadodara Section and New Jalpaiguri- Malda Town
- vii. Delegation  of  powers  to  Zonal  Railways    to  decide  the percentage  of  Tatkal  quota  in  Rajdhani,  Shatabdi  and Duronto trains based on quota utilization
- viii. Delegation of powers to Zonal Railways  to declare less utilized  AC-3tier  coaches  as  AC  chair  Car  over  certain sections

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