In big relief to passengers, Railways start regular train services at pre-Covid fares

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In a big relief to passengers, the Railway Ministry has issued orders to run trains as regular services at pre-Covid fares with immediate effect and discontinue the 'special' category into which Mail and Express trains had been clubbed during the pandemic.</p>
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The ticket prices had also been raised for these “special” trains during the Covid-19 pandemic. </p>
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According to a circular issued by the Railway Ministry on Friday, trains will be operated with regular numbers and with fares as applicable for the particular class of travel and type of train before the disruption due to the outbreak of Covid-19 took place. </p>
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More than 1,700 trains are expected to be restored in the next few days. The first digit of the train number will not be zero any longer as was in the case of “special” trains.</p>
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The board said second class of such trains will continue to run as reserved except for any relaxation permitted in special case.</p>
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“On already booked tickets in advance, no difference of fare either to be collected by Railways or any refund due to already booked passengers shall be permitted," the board said.</p>
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“Ministry of Railways have decided that all the regular time tabled trains which are presently operating as MSPC (mail/express special) & HSP (holiday special) train services, included in the working time table,2021, shall be operated with regular numbers and with fare and categorisation as applicable," the Railway Ministry said in a letter on Friday to the principal chief commercial managers of various zones.</p>