Travelling on Vande Bharat Express is a great experience. Relishing yummy food and enjoying great views en route sums up the travel journey. While passengers are mostly impressed with the conveniences and facilities, several commuters often complain on social media after facing any issues. This time, many passengers pointed out an additional cost for newspapers and water bottles on Vande Bharat. What is this compulsory charge all about? Let’s find out.
Vande Bharat Charges Extra For Newspaper & Water Bottle
Passengers can select the food option while booking Vande Bharat tickets. Many people often prefer not to select it. Now, all passengers, irrespective of their food preferences, are noticing an additional catering charge. This is a compulsory cost added to the overall amount itself. This has sparked questions among commuters and they demand to know the exact reason behind its inclusion in the bill.
X user Roopak Kamal Gautam (@RoopakGautam) raised a question regarding the addition of ₹20 to the total fare. He stated that the water bottle is mentioned as free on the Vande Bharat train but this extra charge is included in the bill.
Clarifying all the confusion, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) responded that this is a mandatory fee of ₹20 charged for every passenger. This cost is for a water bottle and newspaper. IRCTC’s clarification regarding the catering charge has not pleased most commuters. They continue to tag the concerned departments and authorities and complain about the same on social media.
Also read: Maharashtra Gets Three New Vande Bharat Express Trains; Check The New Routes, Timings & More
Netizens Have A Lot To Share
Passengers are not at all convinced and agree to the fact of paying a mandatory fee of ₹20 for a water bottle and newspaper. Especially, this is concerning for people who do not select the food option while booking Vande Bharat tickets.
X user Lalit Bansal (@lalitkb) posted asking to “make newspaper and water bottle distribution optional while booking tickets in VandeBharat and Shatabdi.”
Prakash Chikka (@PrakashChikka) took to the X platform to point out that many commuters do not read newspapers provided to them during the journey. They simply throw them on the trains. All these accumulations lead to waste. Prakash Chikka requested to make newspapers as an optional add-on while booking tickets.
Also read: In-A-First, Two Tribal Loco Drivers From Jamshedpur Operate Vande Bharat Express Express
What are your views on this additional catering charge?
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
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