Now, pay ₹10-₹50 extra for taking a train from revamped stations

Now, pay ₹10-₹50 extra for taking a train from revamped stations

Dipak.Dash@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:07.10.2021

Soon, you would have to pay a user fee ranging between Rs 10 and Rs 50 for boarding trains from stations that have been redeveloped or will be redeveloped in the near future. Similar charges will also be levied for de-boarding the trains at stations that have been revamped or will be revamped soon. This fee will be automatically added to the fare while booking tickets. The user fee would be in five categories, higher for AC First Class and subsequently less for AC-2, AC-3, Sleeper and unreserved classes.

The railway ministry will soon notify the fee, which will be an assured source of revenue for the private players who will develop these stations and the ministry hopes this will encourage more private players to bid for the projects.

Sources said though earlier the railways had sent the proposal to seek approval from the Cabinet, now a decision has been taken that the national transporter will notify the charges on its own and will come out with the detailed policy.

“We are hopeful of the notification in the next 4-5 days. It will bring clarity if the charges can also be levied on passengers boarding from or de-boarding at stations where redevelopment work is underway or if it will be applicable for only redeveloped stations,” said an official.The levy of the user fee will mean the train fare will increase.

For example, if a passenger books a ticket from New Delhi to Mumbai, then the ticket price would include the user fee of both stations.

However, if a passenger books a ticket from a smaller station to New Delhi or Mumbai, then the user fee would be 50% of the normal charge.

Sources said to begin with the railways may roll out the user fee regime at 50 stations.

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