It is a continual endeavour of Indian Railways (IR) to improve passenger experience through modernization and improvement in facilities over trains and stations. Some of the measures taken in this regard are listed below:
State-of-the-art Train-set Vande Bharat services have been introduced between New Delhi – Varanasi and New Delhi- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. These trains have ultra modern features like quick acceleration, on board infotainment and Global Positioning System (GPS) based passenger information system, automatic sliding doors, retractable footsteps and Zero discharge vacuum bio toilets etc.
Various premium train services like Humsafar, Tejas, Antyodaya, Utkrisht Double Decker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY), Mahamana and coaches like Deen Dayalu and Anubhuti, which have upgraded interiors / exteriors and improved passenger amenities, have been introduced in service in various train services over IR.
IR has also launched Project Utkrisht in order to improve the condition of ICF type coaches running in Mail / Express trains. Upgradation of 640 rakes of Mail / Express trains has been taken up under Project Utkrisht. Work in around 300 rakes has already been completed under Project Utkrisht.
Conventional lighting in coaches is being replaced with modern and energy efficient LED lights. Railway has also been providing increased number of mobile charging points in coaches. Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) and Mainline Electric
Multiple Unit (MEMU) rakes with 3 phase propulsion system are provided with Forced Ventilation system and GPS based Public Address and Passenger Information System (PAPIS) system. Further, three Air conditioned EMU rakes are already running in Mumbai Sub-urban area of Western Railway and two such rakes are under commissioning for running in Mumbai suburban area.
Various works for improvement / upgradation / modernization of passenger amenities which, inter-alia, include improvement to facade of the station building, retiring room, waiting room, separate waiting room for ladies, landscaping of circulating area, earmarked parking, signages, Pay < Catering Services etc.
5278
(vi)
Losses on account of Pricing of Fares below Cost < other Social Service Obligations
37673
(vii)
Total Losses on Coaching Services [(i) to (vi)]
55857
(viii)
Total Social Service Obligation(vii) – (v)
50579
(ix)
Deduct Staff Welfare < Law < coke and container traffic are already exempted.
Withdrawal of 5% supplementary charge from Mini Rake and Two Point Rake combination to make the rail rates competitive.
Distance for Mini Rake operation has been relaxed upto 1000 km for Intra Zonal traffic. Mini rakes are also booked under lower train load rates.
Round-trip haulage charge for container traffic (for 0-50 km) minimum distance slab has been introduced which is around 35% cheaper per TEU/round trip.