Passengers flay hike in train fare

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 23

Rail fare of passenger trains has almost doubled after resumption of inter-district trains, which were appreciated for providing fast connectivity at economical charges.

These rates were implemented in five pairs of trains, including 54613 Amritsar-Pathankot and 54616 Pathankot-Amritsar, which started plying from Monday.

These trains remained off track for around 11 months due to the Covid-19 induced lockdown and farmers’ protest.

Those travelling from Amritsar to Pathankot need to shell out Rs55 per person. Earlier, the ticket was available for Rs25. Travel on the same stretch by bus costs Rs140.

Similarly, fare of passenger DMU train from Jalandhar city railway station to Ferozepur has been hiked from Rs30 to Rs60. Despite being an unreserved train, fair of express train will be levied.

Mohan Lal, a passenger, said fare of mail express was being charged by offering them services of passenger train, besides facility of monthly pass for daily passengers has been withdrawn.

For those whose salary was cut or who lost job in the wake of the pandemic, it’s a jolt from the blue, he said.

The Indian Railways said fare was set after assessing all parameters by the officials concerned.

Rajesh Aggarwal, Divisional Manager, Indian Railway, said these eight pairs of trains were Special Mail Express, which allowed unreserved passengers to travel. He said fare was fixed by the Ministry of Railways.

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