Richa Sharma By

NEW DELHI: An analysis by the Ministry of Railways has found that basic facilities provided to passengers travelling by premium trains are below par. However, they pay fares more than the cost of air travel on several routes due to the new flexi fare system.



In September 2016, the ministry introduced flexi fare system for premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto, which shot up the fare by 50 per cent. U nder the new formula, base fares increase from 10-50 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths booked.



An analysis of complaints received by ministry over the last six months found that premium trains do not even have basic facilities.



Ravindra Gupta, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board, has shot off letters to 16 zonal railways asking to improve the conditions. “It has been brought to the notice of the Board... that maintenance of passenger-carrying trains, including prestigious Rajdhanis and Shatabdis, is not up to mark. There have been several complaints on account of improper hygiene, cleanliness, toilets, fittings and bedrolls,” he said.



There has been demand to roll back the scheme as passengers are made to pay high fare at no upgradation of services in trains. From September 2016 to February 2017, the Railways earned `250 crore while it lost 1 lakh passengers on the routes of premium trains. The Railways runs 42 Rajdhanis, 46 Shatabdis and 54 Duronto.



On the other hand, most airlines, including the country’s official carrier Air India, have been wooing train passengers by offering tickets cheaper than the AC II fare in premium trains.



Listing out immediate corrective actions to bring perceptive change in the existing conditions, Gupta said maintenance of Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto trains has to be accorded highest priority and surprise inspections should be done at the Chief Mechanical Engineer (CME) level.



“It should be ensured that the contracts like mechanised coach cleaning, clean train stations, on-board housekeeping and pest and rodent control are executed strictly to serve the purpose of these contracts. Availability of cleaning materials and equipments should be ensured,” Gupta wrote.



Other measures include biometric attendance of staff and CCTV cameras in coaching depots to monitor functioning of staff.