(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?
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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