Passengers of Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains will have to shell out between Rs 20 and Rs 50 more from October 17 with railways revising food tariff in the premier trains to improve quality of catering.
Food prices are included in the total fare of premier trains.
According to preliminary calculations, the enhanced rates could vary between Rs 20 to Rs 50 on an average. The rates could also vary from journey to journey and between trains.
While the fares in Kalka bound Shatabdi could go up by Rs 16 in Executive Class, it will be about Rs 60 more in Mumbai Rajdhani in AC-1.
This is the second increase in passenger fares applicable in a few selected trains in a month as Railways had increased the fares by 2 per cent in all trains on October 7.
The revision in food traiff after 14 years also comes with a revised menu like the introduction of fish fry in AC-1 and Executive Class and the stuffed paratha, channa kulcha and packaged flavoured milk for breakfast in all classes of premier trains.
The assortment also includes stuffed kathi roll for both veg and non-veg categories.
However, chocolates, toffees and fruit juice have been done away with from the new menu.
According to a senior Railway official, the impact on lunch/dinner/breakfast rates will be an increase in the average range of Rs 25 and Rs 27.
Those who have purchased tickets earlier, will have to pay the difference in the fare to TTEs in trains from October 17.
The rate of morning and evening tea has been reduced by nearly 30 to 40 per cent. The rate of breakfast, lunch and dinner are being increased between 50 per cent and 60 per cent.
A new concept of combo meal is being introduced as every alternate meal on Rajdhani and Duronto trains, which are priced at half the cost of the regular lunch or dinner rate.
Railways serve about 3.3 crore meals a year in these trains. The AC-II, AC-III and Chair Car passengers comprise about 90 per cent of total passengers in premier trains.
