Question : Flexi Fare

(a) whether the Railways are charging double fare from the passengers in the name of Tatkal, Premium and flexi fares and thereby putting extra burden on the pockets of passengers;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons behind implementing such fare system;

(c) whether the Railways is providing additional services in lieu of the aforesaid extra fare;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether it is not a fact that the Railways has increased the fares from the backdoor and if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1571 BY SHRI RAJESH RANJAN AND SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.12.2017 REGARDING FLEXI FARE

(a)&(b): The applicable fares for Tatkal Quota, Premium Tatkal quota and Flexi fare trains are as under:-
(i). Tatkal Quota: Apart from basic fare Tatkal charge is levied over and above the basic fare and is realised @ 10% of the basic fare for reserved second class and 30% of the basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum prescribed limit. Other applicable supplementary charges like reservation charge, superfast charge, Goods and Service Tax if applicable etc., are levied separately.

(ii). Premium Tatkal Quota: Under this scheme fare increases by 20% after each slab of 10% berths are sold subject to maximum three times of tatkal fare. Other applicable supplementary charges like reservation charge, superfast charge, Goods and Service Tax if applicable etc., are levied separately.

(iii). Flexi fare: Under this scheme, the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of berths sold subject to maximum limit of 1.5 times in classes Second AC, Sleeper, Second sitting (reserved), AC Chair Car and 1.4 times in 3rd AC class. Flexi Fare is not applicable in 1st AC and Executive class.

(c)&(d): Provision of Tatkal Quota and Premium Tatkal Quota at a small premium have been introduced to provide rail-users the facility of travelling at short notice during urgent travel requirement on confirmed berths and to discourage normal passengers from availing the quota. These services are providing win-win situation for both passengers who cannot plan their journey in advance or need to travel on emergency at short notice as well as Railways.

Further, Flexi Fare trains (Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains) are highly prestigious and popular trains with better facilities in terms of service, speed and punctuality of trains, etc. These trains are given preference over other trains on the route.
Provision of additional services like additional facilities at platforms, inside the train, betterment of other services like cleanliness etc, is an ongoing and continuous process.

(e): No increase has been made in the basic fares of these trains. Passengers booking their ticket early are availing the tickets at normal fares.
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