The Railways is likely to restore its train services to pre-COVID levels over the next two months, provided the state governments give their nod and the coronavirus pandemic is under control, sources said Thursday.
They also said these are likely to be special trains only and not regular services. Currently, 66 percent of trains are operational, albeit as special trains.
The special trains being run by the railway have marginally higher fares, offer no concessions except in certain categories, and operate as fully reserved services.
All regular passenger services of the Railways remain suspended since the lockdown was announced in March last year. But the national transporter started special train services in a phased manner in May 2020.
As of now, 77 percent of mail, express trains are in service, 91 percent of suburban trains are running while only 20 percent of passenger trains are currently on tracks.
“Over the next two months, we would like to reach the pre-Covid level of services with our special trains. However, this depends on approval from states as well as the status of the coronavirus pandemic,” said an official.
The pre-Covid average of mail, express trains was 1,768 per day, now it is 1,353 per day, while before the pandemic, 3,634 passenger trains were running daily, only 740 are in service per day currently. However, while pre-Covid, 5,881 suburban trains were in operation per day, now, 5,381 trains are on track.
(Source: PTI, note edited by travelobiz staff)
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