Date:19/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/19/stories/2006051900600700.htm

Back Rlys to earn Rs 80 cr thru reservation charges hike

Our Bureau

New Delhi , May 18

The Railways expects to earn an additional revenue of Rs 80 crore per year from the recent increase in reservation charges for those journeys whose originating location is different from the location where ticket is booked.

The Minister of State for Railways, Mr R. Velu, said this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The increase is Rs 10 for Second and Sleeper Class journey, Rs 15 in other classes of Passenger, Mail and Express trains, Rs 20 in all classes of Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains and Rs 15 in Second Class and Rs 20 in AC Chair Car of Jan Shatabdi Express trains, he said.

The increase has been effective since April 1. He also ruled out withdrawal of the increase in total fares saying that the "basic fare" has not been increased.