Higher price is being charged from those travelling inpassenger trains over small distances., as per various reports.
Railways in a press release said, these slightly higherfares for passenger and other short distance trains had been introduced todiscourage people from avoidable travels and those which are not mostnecessary. These fares are fixed at unreserved price of mail/ express trainsfor the same distance.
Covid is still around and in fact worsening in someStates. Visitors from many States are being subjected to screening in otherareas and discouraged to travel.
Higher price is be seen as proactive measure of Railwaysto prevent crowding in trains and stop Covid from spreading, claims the Ministryof Railways.
It may be recalled that Indian Railways had to stoprunning of regular trains due to Covid related nationwide lockdown on March22nd, 2020 as a measure to counter the spread of Corona virus.
Indian Railways is constantly increasing the number ofpassenger carrying trains in a graded manner. Full restoration of regularservices of passenger trains, to pre Covid times, is to be considered keepingin view a range of factors and operational circumstances.
During challenging times of Covid, Indian Railways hasoperationalized almost 65 % of the Mail/Express trains and over 90 % ofsuburban services as compared to the pre lock down times.
Total 1250 Mail/Express, 5350 suburban services &more than 326 passenger trains are presently in operation average on a dailybasis.
Short distance passenger trains running presentlyconstitute less than 3% of total trains. More such trains are in the pipelinein consultation with the State Governments. Such short distance trains requireinterstate discussions and concurrence of all concerned.
Keeping in view the prevailing COVID situation, afterintroduction of Mail/Express trains, Railways is gradually operationalizingpassenger trains taking all necessary precautions and making additionalefforts.
Health situation of States, and the views of the StateGovernments, etc need to be taken in into account before getting into normaloperations.
It may be noted that Passenger operations have alwaysbeen subsidized by railways. Normally, Railways bears a loss on every journeyby a passenger.
Railways has been running trains in Covid times in mostchallenging circumstances. Many trains are being run in spite of low occupancyfor the benefit of people.
Not only this, Railways has taken special care aboutthose travelling by lowest fare in trains so that even in Covid times they bearthe least burden. In all the trains that are being run, besides other classes,the trains have a large number of 2S class coaches which have the lowest farein the reserved category.40 % of the passengers have travelled in 2S class inmuch better traveling conditions than pre Covid, unreserved travellingsituations.
With a view to regulate rush at stations and in trains,passenger trains are being charged slightly more fare than pre-Covid times anda close watch is being kept on its patronisation. The situation is beingconstantly monitored to ensure restoration of services in keeping with theprotocols necessary to be followed during Covid times.