Flexi-fare on more trains likely in Rail Budget

Railway Minister Nitish Kumar is likely to announce the extension of the flexi-fare scheme to trains other than Rajdhani and to other classes as well, in the interim Railway Budget tomorrow.

Last year's Rail Budget had announced a 10 per cent rebate on the basic fare of AC first class and AC second class of the Rajdhani Express trains during the lean monsoon period of July 15 to September 15.

The scheme yielded good returns, increasing passenger count 36 per cent and earnings 25 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. Kumar is also likely to introduce a slew of Jan Sadharan trains, which run between two destinations with only technical halts in between.

The first Jan Sadharan Express was launched on January 8 this year between Patna and New Delhi. The train has 16 coaches, two for guards and the rest unreserved general class coaches.

In the first 20 days of its operations, it has had an average passenger count of 1,000 compared to a seat capacity of 1,340.

A large number of other radical passenger services are also in the offing. Railways are also working to fulfill the announcements made last year.

Kumar had announced in the last Budget that Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation would be setting up budget hotels.

The corporation has sent a proposal for six such hotels, which is under the consideration of the railway board.

Also, internet service on a select train is likely to fructify by March this year.

Trial runs have been completed and the Delhi-Mathura Shatabdi is likely to provide the service before the close of the financial year, rail officials told Business Standard.