Flexi fare scheme in Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto trains rationalised : Goyal

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New Delhi : During the eight months period from July 1, 2019, to  February 29, 2020, approximately 28.93 lakh berths remained vacant in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto type trains having flexi fare. Two months, in this period are lean period in which the occupancy of all trains generally remains low. Average occupancy of flexi fare trains from July 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020, is 86.30%.

However, it is submitted that number of passengers booked in the trains having flexi fare registered an increase of 0.95% for the period September 2016 to August 2018 as compared to corresponding period of previous years (Two full year non Flexi Fare period). Further, overall occupancy of Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains has registered a continuous increase since the inception of Flexi Fare.

Based on the committee’s recommendations and other representations, the matter was examined and Flexi fare scheme in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains has been rationalised with effect from November 15, 2018, for journey commencing from March 15, 2019. Discontinuation of Flexi fare scheme from 15 trains for full year and from 32 trains during pre defined lean period of 3 months (February, March & August); Maximum cap of flexi fare scheme has been reduced to 1.4 times in all flexi fare applicable classes; and Graded discount has been introduced in flexi fare trains, where class-wise occupancy is less than 60%, 4 days prior to scheduled departure of the train.

Senior citizen, male/transgender of age 60 years and above and Female senior citizens of age 58 years and above are already entitled to concession in the basic fare in all classes of Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains. The element of concession is 50% for female senior citizens and 40% for male/transgender senior citizens. Orthopaedically handicapped/ Paraplegic persons who cannot travel without an escort, Mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without an escort and Persons with visual impairment with total absence of sight are also eligible for 25% concession on the basic fare in 3AC and AC Chair Car of Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains. At present there is no proposal to further extend concession to Patients in Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto trains.

This press release is based on information given by Railways and Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on March 18, 2020, according to a PIB release.