Tatkal Special Train Service
whether Government proposes to launch Tatkal Special Train Service;
(b) if so, the salient features thereof along with the routes identified for the purpose; and
(c) by when the new service is likely to be operational?
Instructions...
more... have been issued for running of special trains having separate fare structure. Since it contained some of the features of Tatkal scheme, it was initially called Tatkal special trains, however, subsequently it was decided to call them only “special trains” instead of “Tatkal Special”. The salient features of these trains are as under:-
(i) These trains are programmed, scheduled and advertised as fully reserved trains to be run for special occasions like Summer/Holidays, festivals etc. The routes for running these trains are identified by zonal Railways concerned based on assessed demand.
(ii) The Advance Reservation Period of these trains varies between 10 and 60 days.
(iii) Fare structure of these trains is on the pattern of Mail/Express trains. In addition to fare, ‘special’ charges are realised which are fixed as a percentage of fare at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class and 30% of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum prescribed in the scheme.
(iv) The tickets are issued for actual distance of travel, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train.
(v) The minimum distance criteria for booking tickets in these trains has been prescribed in the scheme.
(vi) In case the total run of the train is less than the distance restriction, in that case, the end to end fare i.e. from originating to destination station is charged.
(vii) The decision to levy “special charges” in only one direction or both the directions is taken by zonal Railways concerned based on demand pattern.
(viii) No concessional/pre-bought booking is allowed in these special trains.
(ix) There is no separate Tatkal quota in these trains.
(x) Cluster bookings, Blank Paper Ticket (BPT) booking, block booking, current booking is allowed in these trains.
(xi) Except for the fare, which is charged as mentioned above, general ticket rules are applicable during further transactions on tickets booked in these trains e.g. cancellation, modification, duplicate ticket issue/cancellation, refund of fare/difference, etc.
(xii) Supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast surcharges, service tax, mela surcharge etc. are levied separately.
(xiii) Booking of these trains is allowed from reservation counters as well as through internet.
(xiv) These trains are called ‘Special Trains’.
(c) These services have already become operational in May 2015.
