Low-cost 'Yuva Trains' to be introduced

NEW DELHI: With youth being the flavor of the season, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has introduced low-cost, air-conditioned 'Yuva Trains' dedicated to the generation next.

The trains, with only sitting accommodation, will also benefit low-income groups.

A weekly service will be introduced as a pilot project within three months in Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata sectors, Banerjee said presenting the Railway Budget 2009-10 in Parliament.

If successful, it will be extended to other areas, she said.

These trains will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low-income groups can travel at low fares. The idea is to connect the youth in rural hinterlands with major metro cities, she said.

The trains will run from point to point for the distance ranging from 1,000 km to 2,500 km. The fare will be Rs 229 for distances up to 1,500 km and Rs 399 for distances upto 2,500 km.