Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 8: Passengers travelling on the Mangaluru Central–Mumbai Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) Matsyagandha Express will get some relief on their fares from January 6, with Indian Railways set to downgrade the train from the superfast category to mail/express, scrapping the additional superfast surcharge.
The reclassification will bring down fares by Rs 15 to Rs 45, depending on the class of travel, as passengers will no longer have to pay the superfast surcharge.
The move follows repeated demands from passengers and railway users' associations, who had questioned the train's superfast classification, pointing out that it failed to meet the prescribed average speed of 55 kmph required to qualify for the category.
During the non-monsoon timetable, Train No. 12619, operating from Mumbai LTT to Mangaluru Central, has an average speed of 53 kmph, while Train No. 12620, running from Mangaluru Central to Mumbai LTT, averages 54 kmph. The average speeds drop further during the monsoon timetable to 50 kmph and 52 kmph, respectively.
Passenger associations had been pressing the Railways to withdraw the superfast tag, arguing that passengers were being made to pay additional charges despite the train falling short of the stipulated speed benchmark.
Under the existing fare structure, Indian Railways levies superfast surcharges of Rs 15 in general second class, Rs 30 in sleeper class, Rs 45 in AC three-tier and AC economy, Rs 45 in AC two-tier and Rs 75 in first AC. With the removal of the superfast classification, passengers will be spared the applicable additional charge.
According to a release issued by South Western Railway on Friday, Train Nos. 12619 and 12620 will be renumbered as 16369 and 16370, respectively, with effect from January 6.
The Matsyagandha Express will, however, continue to remain under the ownership of the Southern Railway's Thiruvananthapuram Division, as it shares its rakes with Train Nos. 16347 and 16348, operating between Thiruvananthapuram Central and Mangaluru Central.
Garib Rath renumbering date revised
Meanwhile, the renumbering schedule of the weekly Garib Rath Express operating between Mumbai LTT and Thiruvananthapuram North has also been revised.
Train No. 12201, which was earlier scheduled to be renumbered as Train No. 16371 with effect from January 1, will now operate under its new number from January 4, the South Western Railway release added.