‘YUVA TRAINS’ for youth

‘Yuva Trains’ targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country is all set to roll out soon in early 2010, at a time when youth has become the political buzzword of the ruling Congress party. A passenger will be charged between Rs.299 and Rs.399 depending on the distance he travels.

‘The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like reservation fee, Superfast charge and development charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms,” said spokesperson for the Ministry of Railway.

Initially the service will be launched as a pilot project with two separate weekly trains will run between Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata. The extension of Yuva Trains to other areas of the country will depend upon its success rates.

Children between 5 and 12 years will continue to be charged half fare. The benefit of Yuva Train fares will be met by only those unemployed persons who fall between 15 and 45 years and fulfill certain criteria.

To fulfill the criteria of Yuva so as to avail the concessional fares, a person will have to produce certificates issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) and valid Registration card issued by a Government run Employment Exchange. And if age is not specified in these certificates, a person will have to get an age certificate like Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License., Passport, educational certificate, certificate from local bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality or any other authentic and recognized document on which date of birth is recorded.

Initially, 60 per cent of the total number of coaches will be earmarked for ‘Yuva’ category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva). The trains will be fully airconditioned with one chair car. Tatkal scheme would not be applicable in Yuva Trains.

Yuva Trains is the brainchild of Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee who had announced in this year’s Railway Budget that “these trains dedicated for the young generation will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between these cities”.

139-Rail Sampark introduces SMS facility

In a bid to reach to masses with an add-on facility, “139 – Rail Sampark”, the authorized enquiry for Indian Railway has recently introduced the facility of Railway enquiry through SMS.

The users can obtain information regarding PNR status, fare, seat availability and arrival/departure by sending SMS in the specified syntax to 139. The syntax for ticket status enquiry is –PNR10 digit PNR Number and SMS to 139 (for example PNR 1234567890). Details of the procedures for SMS can be accessed from the website www.indianrailways.gov.in or www.irctc.co.in.

The service has been launched by Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways. This Railway enquiry service operates on the number 139 which can be dialed from the landline/mobile phones all over the country without prefixing the STD code. The idea behind the launching of 139 Railway enquiry service is to connect with masses, a service that is meant for all and is effectively and easily available.

The services include enquiries pertaining to arrival/departure of trains, PNR reservation of berth status and fare enquiry besides to book a train ticket where payment is made through a cash card over phone and the ticket is delivered/ emailed to the user.