Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announced the launch of a host of passenger amenities and new air-conditioned trains with world class services.
Introduction of three select train services -Humsafar, Tejas and UDAY- for reserved passengers was one of the highlights of the Railway Budget 2016-17 presented by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today.
Humsafar would be fully air conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals.
Tejas on the other hand would showcase the future of train travel in India. Operating at speeds of 130 kmph and above, it will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine and Wi-Fi through service providers, while ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction.
Humsafar and Tejas will ensure cost-recovery by way of tariff and non-tariff measures.
Railways will also introduce overnight double-decker - Utkrisht Double Decker Air-Conditioned Yatri (UDAY) Express on the busiest routes, which has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40 per cent.
For the unreserved passenger, the Railway Minister announced Antyodaya Express and Deen Dayalyu coaches.
Antyodaya Express would be long distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service for the common man to be operated on dense routes.
Prabhu said Railways would also add two to four Deen Dayalyu coaches in some long distance trains for unreserved travel to enhance the carrying capacity for the people.
These coaches will also have facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points.
"Every customer is our brand ambassador, the very reason of our existence. Therefore, each time that he or she travels, the satisfaction quotient must go up", he said at the outset before announcing the services.
He also said government would continue to provide better passenger services making railway journey enjoyable and strive hard to ensure satisfaction of each of 7 billion passengers that ride Indian Railways network annually.
