Question : Special Trains

(a) the number of special trains including Suvidha trains run by the Government across the country during the last year and the current year;

(b) whether the cases of misuse of reserved tickets have come to the notice of the Government in such trains during the said period and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the fare of such trains has been kept higher from the fare of normal trains and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has received requests from various quarters not to charge higher fare in such trains during the said period;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/being taken by the Government on such requests so far; and

(f) the other steps taken by the Government in this direction?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) The number of special trains trips and Suvidha trains trips (including special fare trains) run across the country during last year and current year are as under:
April 2015 to January 2016 (Approx.) April 2016 to January 2017 (Approx.)
12185 14351
However, running of special trains on various sectors is an ongoing process and varies on day to day basis.

(b) Although instances of misuse of reservation system by unscrupulous elements do come to notice, however, separate train type-wise statistics of such complaints are not maintained.
(c) With effect from 01.07.2015, Suvidha trains on variable fares have been introduced for meeting peak demand as may arise from time to time during summer, winter, festivals and on other occasions. The following types of Suvidha trains can be introduced:-
(i) Fully air-conditioned services with or without stoppages.
(ii) Mixed services having no enroute commercial stoppages on mixed Duronto pattern.
(iii) Mixed services having some stoppages enroute and running as Mail/Express.
Apart from above, on the basis of demand, Zonal Railway can also run fully air conditioned Shatabdi/Double decker type Suvidha trains. 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.
Special trains on special charges are introduced based on demand pattern over and above the time-tabled trains. In addition to Mail/Express fare for Time Tabled Trains, special charges are levied at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class for reserved accommodation and 30% of basic fare for all other classes. The second class accommodation of such trains can be declared as reserved or unreserved and charging shall be made accordingly. In case of unreserved second class accommodation, the fares as applicable to normal superfast Mail/Express trains will be applicable.
(d) to (f) Representations/suggestions for reduction in the fares of Special trains/Suvidha trains have been received from various quarters. At present, there is no proposal to reduce the fares of these trains.
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