Maitree Express: মৈত্রী এক্সপ্রেস - দুই বাংলার সংস্কৃতি ও ভাতৃত্বের মেলবন্ধন - Joydeep Roy

1) For the unreserved passenger: Antyodaya Express and Deen Dayalu coaches - "We propose to introduce the Antyodaya Express, a long-distance, fully unreserved, superfast train service, for the common man to be operated on dense routes," Prabhu said.
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"We will also add two to four Deen Dayalu coaches in some long distance trains for unreserved travel to enhance our carrying capacity for the masses. These coaches will also have facility for potable drinking water and a higher number of mobile charging points," he added.
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2) For the reserved passenger - Humsafar, Tejas and UDAY: Three select train services, Humsafar, Tejas and UDAY were announced. "Humsafar and Tejas will ensure cost recovery by way of tariff and non-tariff measures. Humsafar would be fully airconditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals," Prabhu said.
"Tejas, on the other hand will showcase the future of train travel in India. Operating at speeds of 130 kmph and above, it will offer onboard services such as entertainment, local cuisine, Wi-Fi, etc. through one service provider for ensuring accountability and improved customer satisfaction," he announced.
Prabhu also said that Railways will introduce overnight double-decker, Utkrisht DoubleDecker Air-conditioned Yatri (UDAY) Express on the busiest routes, which he claimed has the potential to increase carrying capacity by almost 40%.
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3) No fare hike: Railway Budget spared passengers and goods movement from any increase in tariffs. Prabhu promised rationalising of the tariff structure.
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4) SMART Coaches: Railways is planning to re-imagine the design and layout of coaches to ensure higher carrying capacity and provision of new amenities including automatic doors, bar-code readers, bio-vacuum toilets, water-level indicators, accessible dustbins, ergonomic seating, improved aesthetics, vending machines, entertainment screens, LED lit boards for advertising, PA system and more.
"These new SMART (Specially Modified Aesthetic Refreshing Travel) coaches would cater to emerging needs of our customers and also ensure lower unit cost of operations due to higher carrying capacity," Prabhu said.
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5) Ticketing facilities: Railways intend to commence sale of tickets through hand held terminals for the benefit of the suburban and short distance travellers. "This would enable us to deploy multiple 'Points of Sale' with minimal infrastructure requirement. We also intend initiating sale of platform tickets through ticket vending machines which would be made compatible with not only cash but also credit/debit cards," he said.
Also, in the next 3 months, Railways will open the e-ticketing facility to foreign debit/credit cards for foreign tourists and NRIs. Bar coded tickets, scanners and access control on a pilot basis on major stations to tackle the menace of ticketless travel and ensure hassle free travel for passengers will be introduced.
Presently Railways has different digital solutions for ticketing, grievance redressal and other issues. "We intend to integrate all such facilities into two mobile apps; one dealing with all ticketing issues and the other for receipt and redressal of complaints and suggestions related to all our services," Prabhu proposed.
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