(a) whether the Railways has decided to run special trains during peak travel/festival seasons and henceforth be introduced only by charging more than normal fares;
(b) if so, the reasons for charging more than normal fares on such special trains;
(c) whether the Railways are trying to penalise the common man by charging such extra fares;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor and whether the Government proposes to reconsider its decision; and
(e) if so, by when and if not, the reasons therefor?
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.2031 BY KUMARI SUSHMITA DEV AND SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.03.2016 REGARDING SPECIAL TRAINS IN PEAK SEASON
(a). The following types of special trains are introduced for the 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 are introduced 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.
(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.
(b). Special trains on special charges and suvidha trains 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. 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). 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.
(d) & (e). At present, there is no proposal to review the concept of running of special trains on special charges and Suvidha trains 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.
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