Railway Passenger Fare Increase News

Railway Passenger Fare Increase News

Increase in passenger fares

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA

QUESTION NO 2052

ANSWERED ON 03.08.2018

Increase in passenger fares

2052 Shri Surendra Singh Nagar

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government is going to increase the railway passenger fare, and if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) if not, how Government proposes to control the increasing expenditure of trains; and

(c) the efforts being made by Government to avoid this situation?
ANSWER

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

(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 UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2052 BY SHRI SURENDRA SINGH NAGAR ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 03.08.2018 REGARDING INCREASE IN PASSENGER FARES

(a) Evaluation of various alternatives relating to rationalization of passenger fare is an on-going process. At present, there is no such proposal.

(b) & (c) The Ministry is taking measure on a continuing basis to improve the financial position and to bring the Operating Ratio to a reasonable level. The endeavour comprises of a combination of initiatives aimed at maximizing revenue receipts and minimizing controllable revenue expenses. Earnings enhancing measure, inter alia, include targeting progressively higher traffic throughput, effective and innovative marketing strategies to capture more and more traffic, creation of additional capacity and optimum utilization of the existing rail infrastructure including rolling stock, enhancement in productivity and efficiency, improvement of passenger interface, periodic rationalization of fare and freight rates and focus on increasing the share of non-fare revenue sources in Railways’ earnings. Other measures to enhance revenue are: Introduction of Flexi Fare system in higher category of trains i.e. Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains. In view of special attempts/ arrangements made for running of special train services during peak period, higher fares have been fixed for running of special trains. Suvidha trains are introduced on variable fare structure during the peak seasons depending on the demand pattern. Humsafar Express, Tejas Express, Antyodaya Express and Mahamana Express have been introduced on higher fare on cost recovery basis. The endeavor is to realize higher fare for better facility trains and continue to provide service at affordable and economic rates to common man.

Expenditure control measures include strict economy and austerity measures, improved man-power planning, better assets utilization, inventory management, optimizing fuel consumption etc.