New Delhi, February 11 The fare for the Vande Bharat AC chair car on a 300-400 kilometer journey is approximately Rs 2.19 per kilometer, which is significantly lower than the fares for similar services in countries like China, Japan, and France, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a written statement in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
According to Vaishnaw, the fares in these countries range from Rs 7 to Rs 20 per kilometer.
"While deciding the fare structure for various types of passenger services, the Ministry of Railways takes into consideration factors such as the cost of service, the value of the service, the type of service and facilities offered, affordability, competition from other modes of transport, and socio-economic considerations," Vaishnaw said while responding to questions about the fare structure of Vande Bharat trains.
He added that Vande Bharat services were introduced in February 2019 and are currently operating on 82 routes with 164 train services.
The Railway minister informed that Vande Bharat trains operate as a distinct passenger service segment with a specific fare structure and features such as improved suspension systems, faster acceleration with semi-high-speed operations, automatic plug doors, ergonomic seats, a mini pantry, CCTV cameras, and KAVACH.
He said that, considering affordability, the fare structure of these trains has been kept below the cost of service.
"The fare for the Vande Bharat AC chair car on a journey between 300 and 400 kilometers is approximately Rs 2.19 per kilometer, which is significantly lower than the fares for similar services in countries like China, Japan, and France, where it ranges from Rs 7 to Rs 20 per kilometer," Vaishnaw said.
He added, "The rationalized fare structure has facilitated the wider expansion of these services across the country, reflecting strong passenger demand for these services. Vande Bharat services have high occupancy levels on all major routes, with occupancy rates near 100%, demonstrating a change in passenger preferences."
Speaking about the ordinary class fares of other trains, Vaishnaw said that they are among the lowest compared to other countries.
Drawing a comparison between Indian Railways' ordinary class fares and similar services in neighbouring countries, Vaishnaw said that while the per kilometer fare in India is 20 paise, it is 54 paise in Pakistan, 37 paise in Bangladesh, and 51 paise in Sri Lanka.