Lok Sabha Question No. 2689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-04
Subject: Reduction in Fare of Shatabdi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2689 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2019

## REDUCTION IN FARE OF SHATABDI

†2689. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  reduce  the  fare  of  Shatabdi and other trains; (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps in this regard so far; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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. 2689 BY SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2019 REGARDING REDUCTION IN FARE OF SHATABDI

(a) to (c): Flexi fare is applicable on Shatabdi, Rajdhani & Duronto trains and 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 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 Out of these,  during  pre-defined  lean  period,  Flexi  Fare  has  been  withdrawn from 18 Shatabdi trains and fully withdrawn from 13 Shatabdi trains.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  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              |

The  above  has  been  implemented  for  the  journey  commencing  on  or after 15.03.2019.

Further instruction has been issued to withdraw variable fare scheme from Humsafar trains.

Apart  from  above,  the  following  discount/Rebate  schemes  have  been introduced over Indian Railways during the last four years:

(i).  10%  rebate  in  basic  fare  is  given  on  vacant  berths/seats  booked after preparation of first chart in all trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains.

(ii).  Discounted  fare  schemes  have  been  offered  in  Shatabdi  trains running vacant over 4 sections viz. Bengaluru-Mysuru, MysuruBengaluru, Ahmedabad-Vadodara and New Jalpaiguri-Malda Town sections.

(iii).  To  facilitate  second  class  passengers  in  many  trains/sections, sleeper class coaches (running underutilized on particular section) have been de-reserved on the particular section as second class unreserved and fare is charged for second class unreserved fare instead of sleeper class fare.

(iv).  Power  has  been  delegated  to  Zonal  Railways  to  declare  AC-3tier coaches  (running  vacant/in  locked  condition  on  particular  section)  as AC chair Car on particular section on AC chair Car fare.

(v).  Power  has  been delegated to Zonal Railways to grant discount in the fare of AC Chair Car and executive class over part of the section, last/first leg, end to end, weekends etc., in trains whose occupancy is below 50%. The element of discount can be decided between 10% and 25% based on the fare of alternative mode of transport.

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