‘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”.

Revised Tatkal scheme from August 1, 2009

In accordance with the announcement made in the Railway Budget 2009-10 revised Tatkal scheme is going to be implemented from August 1. As per the new scheme, Advance Reservation Period (ARP) has been revised from 5 days to 2 days. Earlier a passenger can make reservation 5 days ago of his journey.

Action has also been initiated to make this scheme available destination-wise and for levying of revised minimum Tatkal charges.

All accommodation including general and Tatkal accommodation is meant for general passengers with the only difference of Advance Reservation Period. Creation of additional reserved accommodation is a continuous process for which Railways run new trains, augment the load of existing trains, run special trains, etc.

Broad features of the revised Tatkal Scheme:

• Tatkal reservation facility is provided in the train to meet the urgent travel requirement of the passengers.
• The Tatkal facility can be availed by full fare paying passengers only, and not by those passengers holding concessional ticket.
• The reservation under this scheme commences at 8 A.M on the previous day for which the reservation is being sought, and booking is done on first come first served basis.
• As against the earlier provision of presenting any one proof of identity at the time of booking and the same during the journey, no proof of identity will be required to be produced by the passengers hence forthwith either at the time of booking or during the journey. This provision, however, shall be reviewed after a period of 6 months trial.
• The facility of change of name is not permitted on the bookings made under Tatkal Scheme.
• The booking under Tatkal Scheme will be done only from originating to terminating point of the train with boarding facility from intermediate station. Any passenger boarding from an intermediate station can book Tatkal Accommodation but ticket will be end-to-end and charged accordingly, with permission to board the train from intermediate station.
• No refund will be permissible on the reservations made under Tatkal scheme. However, full refund of fare and Tatkal Charges will be granted on the tickets booked under this scheme in the following circumstances: -

a) If the train is delayed by more than 3 hours from the train originating station;
b) In case of non-attachment of coach in which Tatkal Accommodation has been earmarked and the passenger has not been provided accommodation in the same class.
c) If the party has been accommodated in lower class and does not want to travel. In case the party travels in lower class, the passenger will be given refund of difference of fare and also the difference of Tatkal charges, if any.

• The Tatkal Scheme will be available in Sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC-3 tier and AC-2 tier classes in all Mail/Express trains including Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatabdi Express trains.
• From Rs 50 to Rs 200 is charged as additional charges for different classes (SL, AC 2–tier, AC-3 tier, AC chair car) from the passengers besides the fare of the journey.

•The premium on Tatkal Scheme of different classes are as under:--

S.No. Class Existing Tatkal Charges Proposed Tatkal Charges

During non-peak period Other than non-peak period
(15th July to period
15th September)

i) AC 2- tier Rs. 200/- Rs.200/- Rs.300/-
ii) AC3- tier Rs.150/- Rs.200/- Rs.300/-
iii) AC Chair Car Rs.50/- Rs.75/- Rs.150/-
iv) Sleeper Rs.50/- Rs.75/- Rs.150/-