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Passenger fares cut by 2%

February 13, 2009

The Minister of Railways, Lalu Prasad, while presenting the interim Rail Budget for 2009-10 announced that passenger fares for non sub-urban mail/express and ordinary passenger trains has been reduced by Re 1 for fares costing up to Rs 50 per passenger.

While introducing the interim Rail Budget in the Lok Sabha on Friday, he said that since the fare for rail travel for 10 km and below has already been reduced from Rs 4 to Re 1, this reduction will not be applicable for second class rail journey up to 10 km.

The minister said Railways has decided to reduce the second class and sleeper class fares of all mail/express and passenger trains this year to fulfill the aspirations of the long distance passengers.

During the last four years, Railways have reduced the fares of AC First Class by 28 per cent and AC two tier by 20 per cent, he added.

Railways, he said, have been greatly benefited by the heavy reduction in passenger fares of these classes.

Even as air travel is reportedly reflecting reduction in number of passengers due to economic recession, there has been a significant increase in the number of passengers of these classes on the railways, claimed Lalu.

Therefore, the Railways decided to reduce the fares of AC first class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier and AC Chair Car by 2 per cent.

Image: Passengers travel in an over-crowded train. | Photograph: Krishna Murari Kishan/Reuters