New Delhi: E-tickets bought through IRCTC will get more costly as the Indian Railways has decided to restore service fee charges, almost three years after they were withdrawn to promote digital payments, a pet project of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government.
The Railway Board has given its approval to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to restore the mechanism of charging service charge from passengers booking online tickets.
In a letter dated August 3, the Board has said the IRCTC, railways ticketing and tourism arm, had made a “detailed case” for the restoration of service charge on booking of e-ticket and the matter has been examined by the “competent authority”.
It further said the Finance Ministry has contended that the scheme of waiving of service charges was a temporary one and that the railway ministry could begin charging e-tickets.
“In view of the advice given by the Ministry of Finance, the competent authority has decided that IRCTC may take a suitable decision on the imposition/restoration of convenience fee/service charges and the quantum to be levied,” the letter said.
Officials say that after service charges were discontinued, IRCTC saw a 26 per cent drop in Internet ticketing revenue in financial year 2016-17.
IRCTC used to levy a service charge of Rs 20 on every non-AC e ticket and Rs 40 for every AC ticket.
IRCTC will now have to decide whether it will keep the earlier charges or increase it.
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Indian Railways are squeezing money from Passengers in different ways:-
1. Cancellations charges are same for a III AC e-tickets be it Duronto, Rajdhani Express, Sampark Kranti, Express Trains and Garib Rath – when facilities are not same how can cancellation charges be at par. As per Rules cancelling one III AC ticket is Rs.180/- but Rs.190/- is deducted Rs.10/- extra can this be explained ?
2. For onward journey train cancelled/diverted full refund given but for return journey cancellation charges levied. Passengers have to forcefully cancel as one side has been done by Indian Railways. User ID clearly specifies the to & fro journeys.
3. Retiring Room & Cloak Room charges increase after 24 hours
4. In Tamilnadu to use the AC Waiting Room you have to pay on hourly basis per person despite having confirmed AC tickets.
5. Rajdhani fares have increased many times but the size of icecream cup and flavour not changed nor they serve Brown Bread
6. Tickets not issued but amount debited the refund takes 3 working days WHY ?
7. Flexi fares in Duronto and Rajdhani shows one amount while booking but greater amount debited when actually booked.
Are the Authorities listening and will do the needful – Increasing service charges is no remedy when basic facilities like the shelter not provided in platforms at Bhuj and Vijayawada Railway Stations
Regards