Lok Sabha Question No. 1973 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-09
Subject: Increase in Railway Fares
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH, PARASURAMAN K., GOPALAKRISHNAN CHINNARAJ, K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1973 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2016

## INCREASE IN RAILWAY FARES

†1973. KUNWAR BHARATENDRA: SHRI K. PARASURAMAN: DR. C. GOPALAKRISHNAN: SHRI K. ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has decided to increase fares during peak travel seasons;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Zonal Railways are barred from introducing special trains under normal fares to clear festival/holiday rush;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken for the speedy modernization of Railways?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1973 BY KUNWAR BHARATENDRA, SHRI K.  PARASURAMAN,  DR.  C.  GOPALAKRISHNAN  AND  SHRI  K.  ASHOK KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.03.2016 REGARDING INCREASE IN RAILWAY FARES (a) & (b) The following types of special trains are running over Indian Railways on variable fare/higher fares based on the demand pattern:i.  Suvidha  trains:-  With  effect  from    01.07.2015,  Suvidha  trains  on variable fares are introduced for meeting demand peaks as may arise from  time  to  time  during  summer,  winter,  festivals  and  on  other occasions.  Minimum  fare  of  Suvidha  trains  is  equal  to  Tatkal  fare applicable for the class of accommodation for initial 20% of the berths and  thereafter  the  fare  increases  for  subsequent  slabs  of  20%  of seats/berths booked subject to maximum three times of the Tatkal fare. ii. Special trains on special charges:- Special trains on special charges are  introduced  based  on  demand  pattern  for  both  onward  and  return directions of the run. In addition to Mail/Express fare for Time Tabled Trains, special charges are also levied at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class and 30% of basic fare for all other classes. However, for unreserved second class of special train on special charges and Suvidha trains, no extra fare are levied and the same is charged  as  per  the  fare  of  the  regular  time  Tabled  Mail/Express superfast fares only. Suvidha  trains  &  Special  trains  on  special  charges  are  run  as additional services over and above the regular time-tabled trains during peak seasons. They do not displace the regular services but complement  them  by  providing  additional  facility  for  travel  at  short notice/lesser Advance reservation period by paying higher fares. (c) & (d) Special trains on normal fare structure (equivalent to regular time Tabled trains) are run under the following circumstances:-

- (i) Unreserved special train for all distances Jansadharan Express.
- including
- (ii) To clear passengers due to hold up of traffic on account of incidents like accidents, floods, breaches, line blocks, cancellation of trains etc.

(e)  The  steps  initiated  for  speedy  modernization  of  Railways  are elimination of level crossings and unmanned level crossings, mechanized  maintenance  of  track,  introduction  of  new  generation locomotives,  high  speed  potential  LHB  coaches,  upgradation  of suburban coaches, green toilets on all passenger trains. Development of  modern  high  pay  load  to  tare  ratio  wagons,  enhancement  of customer amenities at stations and on trains, introduction of mobile ticketing,  construction  of  freight  corridors,  electrification  and  trials for train protection warning system etc.

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