improving railway services

Honarable Shri Suresh Prabhu,

I have a few suggestions to make to see that the railways offer better services. These are as under:

1. Just as we have the senior citizens get preference for Lower Berths, Pregnant Ladies & Temporarily disabled people like fractured leg should be given preferential treatment for lower berths. Such Passengers should get medical certificates from their gynac / orthopedic doctors.

2. Group Booking should be allowed for Tourists / Marriage groups in one compartment together. At Least 6 - 8 passengers in a group should get berths together, 2 / 3 on either side in 2 / 3 tier and 2 on sides  .They should carry a proof to show that they all are together for a reason. Railways can charge Rs. 30 / per passenger for group booking

3. Four compartments ( 2 each in 2 tier & 3 tier sleeper coaches  ) should have a provision for choosing your seats / berths. Railways may charge extra Rs. 50 - 100 / 100 – 200 on flexi time charge basis for 3 tier / 2 tier seats or berths booked on preferential basis.

4.  Wi - Fi  Seva should be given on the go. Railways may charge Rs. 50 for use up to 4 hours, Rs. 80 for use up to 8 hours and Rs. 100 for use beyond 8 hours. These should be paid while booking tickets on line. Rail - Pay can be developed by Railways like PayTM for making payments after boarding the train also. The rail pay can be used for ticket booking on line or through mobile application also.. The same app can be used for purchase of local tickets / passes in metro cities for travel by local / metros.

5. Railways should increase the fares in the range of 5 – 15 % for 2^nd and 1^st class passenger / express / super fast trains every 2 -3 years, and not once in a decade  or so. Similarly it should levy fuel / power surcharge of 2 -5  %  on 1^st class passengers for express and super fast trains.

6. Food Quality needs improvements. I have observed that same menu is served on Rajdhani / Shatabdi / Duranto day - in & day - out for years together. Passengers should be given option for food of their choice, served hot. Railways may charge extra money for this special service.  

The first suggestion is a welfare measure so no extra charges should be levied, whereas Railways should charge extra money for some additional service provided by the Railways. This would help generate additional revenue. The money so generated can be used for improving infrastructure / Safety / Signaling Systems etc.