Demonetisation: Railways, metro, buses won't accept old Rs 500 notes from today

New Delhi: Making a U-turn within a few hours, the government on Friday advanced by a day the last date for using the old Rs 500 notes to purchase tickets for travel by train, government- or public sector undertaking-run buses and commuting on suburban and Metro rail services.

The guillotine was also applied to use of the old Rs 500 notes to pay for catering services on board during travel by rail.

Govt withdraws exemptions given for use of old Rs.500 notes from midnight today(Dec.9,2016)for making payments at Rly Ticketing counters etc

— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) December 9, 2016

In a communication here, the government said that effective December 9 midnight old Rs 500 notes can no longer be used for availing these services.

Key points:

·         For making payments at railway ticketing counters, ticket counters of Government or Public Sector Undertakings buses for purchase of tickets;

·         For making payments to catering services on board, during travel by rail; and

·         For making payments for purchasing tickets for travel by suburban and metro rail services.

Government on Thursday curtailed use of old and junked 500 rupee notes for purchasing tickets of railway, metro and state road transport buses till December 9, as against December 15 announced previously.

The Finance Ministry issued a notification withdrawing facility of using the now-defunct notes at suburban and metro rail services, railway ticketing counters and ticket counters of government or PSU buses from December 10.

The same would also not be valid for making payments to catering services on board, during travel by train.

The government had on November 8 while withdrawing legal tender of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes allowed them to be used for utility bill payments for first 72 hours. This deadline was extended repeatedly and the last extension was granted till December 15.