Discounted Fares for Several AC Trains Announced; Vande Bharat Rates to Go Down

NEW DELHI: The ministry of railways has asked the different railway zones to introduce a scheme of discounted fare in AC trains with sitting accommodation that witnessed occupancy rate of below 50 per cent in the last 30 days.

Indian Railways divides its operations into zones, which are further sub-divided into divisions, each having a divisional headquarters. There are a total of 19 zones, including Kolkata’s Metro Railway, and 70 Divisions in the Indian Railway System.

In a statement, the ministry said that it had taken the decision to delegate powers to zonal railways to introduce the scheme with an aim for optimizing the utilization of accommodation in trains. The discount on such fares in trains will be applied by the zones starting immediately but the passengers who have already done their booking for tickets will not be getting any refund, it was stated.

Moreover, this scheme is being made applicable only in AC Chair Car and Executive classes of all trains with air-conditioned sitting accommodation, including seats in Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.

The maximum discount applicable will be 25 per cent on the base fare of the ticket, while levy of other charges like reservation charges, Super fast surcharge, and GST will be done separately.

This also means that passengers booking for Vande Bharat trains with less than 50% occupancy in the last 30 days will be eligible for up to 25 per cent discount on the base fare.

The discount will also be applicable for intermediate sections and not only for the end-to-end journey, but on the condition that occupancy is less than 50% in that particular section.

The discount scheme is being implemented for a period of maximum six months and the discounted fare may be allowed for part duration or month- wise or seasonal or for weekdays/weekends, based on the demand pattern between that period.

There will be regular review of the scheme and it may be modified or extended or withdrawn based on the occupancy rate, the ministry said.

For trains having flexi fare schemes, the railways will first withdraw the current flexi scheme from a particular class with less occupancy. It will then apply the discount scheme only when the withdrawal doesn't show any improvement in occupancy.

This scheme of discounted fare will not be applicable on holiday special trains or festival specials.

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