New Delhi, Sep 20: Passengers travelling in trains will have to spend more for tea and coffee during their journey as the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to hike prices of the beverages served in trains. According to a circular issued by the Railway Board to all zones, the price of a 150 ml cup of tea with a tea bag and 150 ml coffee using instant coffee powder in disposable cups of 170 ml have been raised from Rs 7 to Rs 10 per cup. The circular informed that readymade standard tea will, however, continue to be sold at Rs 5 per cup.

The Railway board has asked zones to change the licence fee accordingly and adjust the price as per requirement. The Indian Railways further informed that there will be no change in prices in Rajdhani and Shatabdi as the food package in these trains are prepaid. Indian Railways to Exempt 40 Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto Trains from Dynamic Pricing Scheme.

The IRCTC issued the order after reviewing the tariff and menu of meals on board. The IRCTC, that caters to about 350 trains that have pantry cars, had earlier discontinued the practice of serving tea in pots. WiFi at Railway Stations, Bio Vacuum Toilets in Trains Soon, Says Minister Piyush Goyal.

It must be noted that the tea in pots (285 ml), two tea bags, two sugar pouches which was priced at Rs 10 and coffee in pots (285 ml), with two instant coffee sachets and two sugar pouches priced at Rs 15 have been discontinued.

According to a PTI report, a senior official said it was a proposal from IRCTC which was approved by the Railway Board. "It is a minimal hike. We decided to discontinue the pot system as not many were ordering it anyway. We are trying to cut down on many things that are mere frills," the officer added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2018 04:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).