Partial rollback: Rail fare hike not to apply on suburban travel upto 80 kms

There is good news for lakhs of Mumbaikars The Indian Railways has announced that the recent hike in rail fares will not to apply to second class suburban trains for travel upto 80 kmsIn a revised order the Railways have also said that the fare hike in the unreserved segment shall come into force from June 28 as against June 25 when the increase will be implemented otherwise Railways also gave some relief to monthly pass holders by reverting to 15 instead of 30 the number of trips for which they will have to make payment for travelling unlimited times in a monthALSO READ Mumbaikars cry foul as rail fare hike increases expensesThe revision to the June 20 notification came hours after the MPs from ruling NDA belonging to Maharashtra met Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda and demanded a rollback in the hikeCashstrapped railways had announced on June 20 an increase of 142 per cent in passenger fares and 65 per cent in freight rates just three weeks before the presentation of the Rail Budget The revised rates will come into effect from tomorrowThere shall be no increase in second class suburban ordinary fare upto 80 kms said a Railway notification issued today This will give relief to lakhs of people travelling daily in metros like Mumbai Kolkata Chennai and DelhiAs per the other amendment the monthly season ticket MST holders will now have to make payment for 15 trips for travelling unlimited times during a monthThe Railways had earlier said that the pass holders will have to make payment for 30 days However the hike of 142 per cent in the fares will apply to the MSTThis 142 percent includes 42 percent as charges against Fuel Adjustment Cost Moreover there shall be no increase in second class suburban ordinary fares up to 80 kms Railway Board officials said that the revised fares in the unreserved segment shall come into effect from June 28 However the revised fares for the reserved segment for outstation trains shall come into effect from June 25Railway officials said that there would be a blanket hike of 142 percent across all passenger fares including First class fares However the earlier calculation made for determining proposed suburban season pass fares and daily tickets have been withdrawn thus removing a huge burden from the shoulders of the common manSecond class monthly season ticket MST fares of suburban and nonsuburban trains will be on the basis of 15 single journeys instead of 30 as was announced on June 20 said a senior Railway Ministry official The official said those who have purchased monthly tickets earlier at prerevised rates will not have to pay the difference in the fare Travellers who have booked tickets earlier for premium trains will not have to pay the difference in fares However for other trains passengers will have to pay the difference either at booking offices or in trains In the case of tickets already issued at prerevised rates the difference in fares and other charges on or after June 25 will be recovered either by TTEs on the trains or by the booking or reservation offices before the commencement of journey by passengers the notification said There shall be no change in other charges like reservation fee and superfast surcharge the official said adding such charges wherever applicable shall continue to be levied additionally according to existing instructions The train fare hike from June 25 will also affect the monthly season ticket MST holders Second class monthly season ticket fares of suburban and nonsuburban trains will be on the basis of 30 single journeys instead of approximately 15 single journeys now Fares of first class monthly season tickets will be charged four times the second class monthly season ticket fares as is done currentlyInputs from PTI