Lok Sabha Question No. 151 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-04
Subject: Fare in Special Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DALPAT SINGH PARASTE, C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 151 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.05.2016

## FARE IN SPECIAL TRAINS

†*151. SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Railways has recently assessed the increase in the number of rail passengers and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether special trains are being arranged to cater to increase in passenger load and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  special  fare  is  being  charged  from  the  passengers traveling in the said trains and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

- (d) whether the Government is reviewing the increase in fare; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps taken so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

(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 STARRED QUESTION  NO. 151 BY SHRI DALPAT SINGH PARASTE  AND SHRI C.S.  PUTTA  RAJU  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  04.05.2016 REGARDING FARE IN SPECIAL TRAINS

- (a) Yes,  Madam.    As  per  Budget  Estimates  2016-17,  there  is  an increase in the number of originating passengers from 8152 million (provisional)  in  the  year  2015-16  to  8182  million  in  the  year 2016-17, showing an increase of 0.37%.
- (b) Yes, Madam.  Special trains are run and extra coaches are attached for clearance of extra passenger traffic during peak seasons, festivals,  and  special  events,  keeping  in  view  the  pattern  of  traffic, commercial  justification,  operational  feasibility  and  availability  of resources.  This is an ongoing process on Indian Railways.
- (c) The following type of Special train services are run including Suvidha trains and special trains on special charges 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  are  run  based  on  pattern  of demand.  In  addition  to  fare  equivalent  to  regular  Time  Tabled trains, special charges are also 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 second class superfast Mail/Express fares.

(3) Suvidha  Trains:-With  effect  from  01.07.2015,  Suvidha  trains  are introduced for  meeting  peaks  in  demand  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.  This is for initial 20% of the available berths.  Thereafter, the fare is increased for subsequent slabs of 20% of  seats/berths  booked  subject  to  maximum  of  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.

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.

(d) At present there is no such proposal.

(e) Does not arise.

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