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Discounted fares introduced for AC chair cars and executive classes on Indian Railways
NEW DELHI: In a major relief for train travellers, the Indian Railways has granted authority to the Zonal Railways to reduce ticket prices of AC chair cars and executive classes on all trains by up to 25%.
The discounted fares are aimed at increasing train occupancy, including that of Vande Bharat trains, and will apply to all AC sitting accommodations, including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
According to the Railway Ministry, “With a view to optimising the utilisation of accommodation in trains, the Ministry of Railways has decided to delegate powers to Zonal Railways to introduce a discounted fare scheme in trains with AC sitting accommodation, subject to terms and conditions.”
.@RailMinIndia introduces Discount Scheme in AC Chair Car and Executive Classes of all trains having AC Sitting Accommodation including Anubhuti & Vistadome Coaches
The element of discount shall be upto maximum 25% on the basic fare
Read here: https://t.co/WrI24I2Crt
— PIB India (@PIB_India) July 8, 2023
The discount will be implemented with immediate effect and will apply to trains with occupancy levels below 50 per cent in the last 30 days, either end-to-end or in specific legs/sections. However, passengers who have already booked their tickets will not be eligible for fare refunds.
While the maximum discount on the basic fare will be 25 per cent, other charges such as reservation charges, superfast surcharges, and GST will be levied separately.
Reservation charges range from ₹15 for the second class to ₹60 for 1st AC, while the superfast charge ranges from ₹15 to ₹70. GST for AC classes is 5 per cent. Additional catering charges apply to trains where food is included in the ticket price, such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and some Duronto trains.
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The discount may be provided in any or all classes based on occupancy, and the fares of competitive modes of transportation will be considered when deciding the quantum of the discount, according to the press release.
The discounted fare scheme will initially be implemented for a period decided by the Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs) of the zones, with a maximum duration of six months from the implementation date. The discounted fare may be applied for the entire duration or part of the duration, month-wise, seasonally, or for weekdays/weekends based on the demand pattern during the specified period.
The scheme will not apply to special trains introduced for holidays or festivals. The relief provided is subject to regular review based on occupancy, and the discount may be modified, extended, or withdrawn accordingly.
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In cases where the flexi-fare scheme is applicable and occupancy is poor, the flexi-fare scheme may be initially withdrawn as a measure to increase occupancy. If this does not result in improved occupancy, then the discount scheme may be made applicable to those trains and classes.
The discounted fare will be available for tickets booked up to the preparation of the first chart and during the current booking process. Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) may also permit onboard discount adjustments. The provisions of this scheme will be applicable for one year. However, tickets under the Tatkal quota will not be eligible for discounted tickets.
