The Hindu Business Line : Got an interview call? Travel by train at 50 pc discount

THE next time you travel outstation to appear for a written test or interview for a Government job, the Railways would offer you a 50 per cent discount.

The Railways Minister, Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, has given an in-principle approval to the proposal, which is likely to be announced in his Railway Budget speech on July 6, a senior Railway Board official told Business Line.

"The facility was available to students travelling on group excursions or on vacation. The Minister decided that the 50 per cent discount in sleeper class fares should also be offered to persons appearing for job interviews or tests or when they report for a new job," the official said.

To avail himself of this discount, the applicant would have to produce his call letter at the time of buying the ticket, the official said. The facility would, however, be available only for applicants to Government jobs in order to avoid misuse, he added.

Asked about the financial implications of the discount, he said: "While no data is available for us to calculate the revenue loss due to the move, we understand that would only be marginal."

The Minister is expected to announce a host of amenities for passengers in the Budget that would make rail travel easier. At the same time, the Railways would come down heavily on corruption and plug revenue holes, especially ticket-less travel, the official said.

Another announcement expected to form part of the Minister's Budget speech relates to the extension of the "flexi-fare" scheme announced last year. Under the scheme, the Railways had offered a 10 per cent discount on certain Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express trains in the August-September period, when these trains register a fall in patronage.

"The response to the flexi-fare scheme was encouraging as the occupancy rates shot up for the trains in which it was offered. The scheme is likely to be extended to some more trains this year," he said.

More Stories on : Railways | Social Welfare

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Naresh Chandra panel's second report on civil aviation likely soon

Got an interview call? Travel by train at 50 pc discount