Shimla, October 23:  A unique 'hop-on, hop-off' train service will be rolled out in Ambala Division of Himachal Pradesh from October 25, with tickets starting at Rs 500 for adults and Rs 250 for kids. The services will be rolled out on the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka-Shimla section. Under the new service by Indian Railways, a passenger can board any coach of any train from any station. "Indian Railways introduces, w.e.f 25/10/18, Hop On Hop Off Services in all trains running in Kalka-Shimla Section, a World Heritage Site of UNESCO", a tweet by the Indian Railways stated.

Reports inform that the new service is being started on October 25 for six months on a trial basis. As per rules for the “hop-on, hop-off ticket", a passenger can board any coach of any train subject to the availability of seats. Reports inform that one can board or de-board any train at any station. Meanwhile, it has to be noted that a passenger is not entitled to avail of other value-added services on the train. World's Highest Railway Track: Indian Railways Pitches for Strategic Line in Leh to Be Declared National Project. 

According to a report by the Tribune, the tickets are non-transferrable and cannot be refunded. No concession is allowed on these tickets. The most outstanding feature of the new train service is that all places of tourists interest on the Kalka-Shimla section can be visited by a tourist on a single ticket. Indian Railways May Do Away With Curtains in Two Tier AC Coaches as Passengers Use Drapes to Wipe Hands.

The tickets are priced as per their validity period:

  1. For one day validity, adults will be charged Rs 500 and Rs 250 will be charged for a child.

  2. For a validity of two days, adults will have to pay Rs 800 while a child will be charged Rs 400.

  3. For a validity period of three days, Rs 1,000 will be charged for an adult and Rs 500 for a child.

During the time of booking, an individual needs to submit a photocopy of an ID proof. The reports further inform that the tickets can be purchased from booking offices of any station on the Kalka-Shimla section. The Kalka-Shimla section was declared as a heritage site in 2008. The railway line was commissioned in 1903 and is now nearly 115 years old.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 04:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).