Passenger fare for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Express trains will go up again, as Indian Railways has decided to revise upwards the price of food served on these trains. The food tariffs for these set of trains is included in the ticket fare and has not been revised since 1999 despite manifold increase in cost of raw material. The effect of the revision would be an increase in passenger fare in the range of Rs 25-35.
The Railways has also decided to permit sale of certain branded products, like juices and aerated drinks, on these trains. A new concept of combo meal has also been introduced. “Quality and variety of services are proposed to be improved after the revision in prices,” a Railways official said. The changes come into effect from October 17 and in case tickets have been issued at pre-revised rates, the difference in fares would be recovered by the TTE on board. “In case of catering charges being reduced, no refund shall be made by the Railways,” said a circular from the Railway Board to all General Managers.
For 1AC (Rajdhani/Duronto trains) and Executive Class (Shatabdi trains), Railways has proposed to reduce the rate of morning tea and evening tea by nearly 35 and 30 per cent respectively while the rate of breakfast, lunch/dinner will be increased by nearly 35 and 15 per cent respectively.
Similalry, for 2AC/3AC (Rajdhani/Duronto trains) and AC Chair Car (Shatabdi trains), Railways has proposed to reduce the rate of morning tea and evening tea by nearly 40 and 10 per cent respectively while increase the rate of breakfast, lunch/dinner by nearly 65 and 50 per cent respectively.
“The decrease in rates is mainly due to deletion of items which were extra or repetitive in nature. The increase of rates is due to increase of cost of raw material and services as the rates were last revised 14 years back,” a Railways official said.
The Railway Board has also asked General Managers to ensure that passengers in the 1AC and Executive Class get personalised services, including choice of meals. A Catering Service Monitoring Cell has been set up by the Railway Board with a toll free no. — 1800111321 — to redress complaints from travelling passengers on real-time basis. “Railways must ensure conduct of regular inspection and surprise checks of the kitchens and pantry cars by deputing officers at various levels. Zonal Railways must ensure that the kitchens are set up by the licencee,” reads the Railway Board’s circular.
Provision has also been made for external audit (Third Party Audit) by reputed and independent agency appointed by zonal Railways to undertake audit of quality of services periodically to ensure the quality has been made mandatory.