Lok Sabha Question No. 261 (STARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Special Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.261 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## SPECIAL TRAINS

*261. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways is planning to introduce special trains with fare structure on the pattern of 'Suvidha Trains' and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  salient  features  along  with  the  modalities  worked  out  for  the introduction of special trains; and

(c)  whether  the  Railways  is  also  planning  to  link  tickets  with  Aadhaar cards so as to overcome the menace of touts in bookings and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

(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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 261 BY SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2016 REGARDING SPECIAL TRAINS

- (a):  No,  Madam.  The  following  types  of  Special  train  services  including Suvidha trains are introduced for passengers over Indian Railways:-
- (1).  Special  trains  on  normal  fare  structure  (equivalent  to  regular  time Tabled trains) under the following circumstances:-
- (i).  Unreserved  special  train  for  all  distances  including  Jansadharan Express.
- (ii). To clear passengers due to hold up of traffic on account of incidents like accidents, floods, breaches, line blocks, cancellation of trains etc.
- (2).  Special  trains  on  special  charges  based  on  demand  pattern:  In addition to fare equivalent to regular Time Tabled trains, special charges are levied at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class (reserved) and 30% of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum charges. However, unreserved class of Special trains on special charges is charged at par with the second class superfast Mail/Express fares.
- (3).  Suvidha  trains:-  With  effect  from  01.07.2015,  Suvidha  trains  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. Other applicable supplementary charges  like  reservation  charge,  superfast  charge,  service  tax  etc.,  as applicable  are  levied  separately.  However,  unreserved  class  of  Suvidha trains  is  charged  at  par  with  the  second  class  superfast  Mail/Express fares.

(b):  As  details  mentioned  in  the  reply  of  (a)  above,  apart  from  Suvidha trains, Special trains on special charges and special trains on normal fare structure (equivalent to regular time Tabled trains) are also introduced.

Further,  Special  trains  on  special  charges  and  Suvidha  trains  are run as additional services over and above the regular time-tabled trains during peak seasons to meet surge in demand. 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.  In view of the subsidized fare structure for the regular time tabled trains  and  extra  efforts  being  made  by  Railways  for  running  of  such special  trains,  the  fares  of  Suvidha  trains  &  Special  trains  on  special charges have been kept higher.

(c):  With  a  view  to  prevent  misuse  of  reserved  tickets,  a  provision  had been made that while undertaking journey in reserved class, any one of the passengers booked on the ticket has to produce any one of the ten prescribed proofs of identity in original failing  which  all  the  passengers are treated as travelling without ticket.  Aadhaar card is one of the ten prescribed proofs of identity.

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