Humsafar trains are set for launching next month with 20% higher fares than normal Mail trains.
With the Talgo high-speed train completing its Delhi-Mumbai trial run on Sunday, a Railway Ministry official said that Humsafar trains are set for launching next month with fares that would be about 20 per cent higher than normal Mail and Express trains.
Announcing some new trains in the Rail Budget for the current fiscal in February, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had introduced Humsafar, a special-class service comprising AC 3-Tier coaches.
"Humsafar would be fully air-conditioned third AC service with an optional service for meals," he had said presenting the budget in parliament.
A washroom in Humsafar train.
It is a special-class train for inter-city overnight journey with many additional facilities which are otherwise not available in normal AC 3-tier coaches.
The additional features include close circuit TV, GPS-based passenger information systems, fire and smoke detection and suppression systems and mobile/laptop charging points with every berth.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had introduced Humsafar in the Rail Budget in February.
Humsafar will also have improved aesthetics with new interior and exterior colour schemes presenting a futuristic look with the use of vinyl sheets similar to Maharaja Express coaches. Besides, it will also have integrated braille displays.