Chai Pe Kharcha: Now, Pay More For Your Tea And Coffee While Travelling By Train

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has recently taken a call to hike prices of coffee and tea after it reviewed the tariff of the meals that are served on board. Prices of tea and coffee have been increased to Rs 10 from Rs 7. According to Financial Express, a circular was issued by the Railway Board on 18 September (Tuesday), which notes the revision in prices. The standard tea that doesn’t come with a dip bag remains at Rs 5.

The board has instructed IRCTC to change the licence fee and price the beverages according to the requirements. Currently, IRCTC caters to more than 350 trains that have pantry cars attached to them. Since Rajdhani and Shatabdi express trains have a prepaid model for food catering, there shall be no changes in the prices for the super-fast trains.

Previously, the Railway Board recommended that all the food items be priced in multiples of five to help railway passengers and to reduce the instances of overcharging. After receiving several complaints of overcharging, the Ministry of Railways had issued a rate card to increase consumer awareness.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has recently announced that should any vendor not produce a bill to the passenger, the food will be free. Use of Point of Sale (POS) machines are being emphasised by the ministry.