Recently, there have been some reports about a higher price being charged from those travelling in passenger trains over small distances.
After concerns were raised over a rise in the ticket fares of short-distance passenger trains, the railways on Wednesday said the “slightly high fares” are only to discourage unnecessary travel.
“As a special provision in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fares of these trains have been fixed at par with the price of unreserved tickets of mail and express trains for the same distance,” a statement from the railway ministry said.
“Covid is still around and in fact, worsening in some states. Visitors from many states are being subjected to screening in other areas and discouraged to travel. Little higher price is to be seen as a pro-active measure of Railways to prevent crowding in trains and stop Covid from spreading,” it added.
The statement from the ministry said the short-distance passenger trains account for less than three percent of the total number of trains being operated.
It may be noted that passenger operations have always been subsidised by Railways. “Normally, Railways bears a loss on every journey by a passenger. Officials maintain that despite the hike, Railways still remained a cheaper option to travel,” it added.
Indian Railways had to stop regular train operations on March 22, 2020, as a measure to curb the spread of the coronavirus and a nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into force from the next day.
Railways is constantly increasing the number of passenger-carrying trains in a graded manner. Full restoration of the regular services of passenger trains to the pre-COVID times is to be considered keeping in view a range of factors and operational circumstances.
1,250 mail and express trains, 5,350 suburban services and more than 326 passenger trains are presently in operation on an average on daily basis.
Trains are being run under the most challenging circumstances due to COVID-19 and many are being operated in spite of a low occupancy for the benefit of people, the railway ministry said.
Not only this, Railways has taken special care about those travelling by paying the lowest fare in trains so that even in Covid times, they bear the least burden.
“With a view to regulate rush at stations and in trains, passenger trains are being charged slightly more fare than pre-Covid times and a close watch is being kept on its patronisation. The situation is being constantly monitored to ensure restoration of services in keeping with the protocols necessary to be followed during Covid times,” the statement from the ministry said.
Source: dnaindia.com