Railways announces 10% rebate on flexi-fares of select ‘premium’ trains

Besides, railways has also effected reduction in the tatkal quota in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi trains.

In a bid to attract last minute passengers, the railways have revised the flexi fare structure in premier trains by offering 10% rebate on vacant berths after finalisation of the reservation charts.

The Indian Railways has also effected reduction in the tatkal quota in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi trains.(HT File Photo)

Besides, railways has also effected reduction in the tatkal quota in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi trains.

Railways had introduced the flexi fare system in Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains on September 9, 2016 in which fares could go up to 50% higher of the base fare with the increase of the demand.

We reviewed the flexi fare system after three months and decided to make some changes, said a senior Railway Ministry official. As per the decision, 10% rebate shall be applicable on the base fare of last ticket sold for a particular class and train just before preparation of the chart.

However, reservation fee, superfast charge and service tax as applicable shall be levied in full.

The decision will be implemented on an experimental basis for six months from December 20.

There were 5,871 vacant berths in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains during September 9 to October 31 this year, according to railways.

Tatkal quota earmarked in Rajdhani/Duronto/Shatabdi trains has been reduced to 10 per cent of the total classwise accommodation.

There will be a review of utilisation of Tatkal quota by Zonal Railways after a fortnight and based on its utilisation, Tatkal quota might be increased upto a maximum of 30 per cent of total classwise accommodation in the train.

RAC berths to go up

In another development, the Railways also decided to increase reservation against cancellation (RAC) berths in all trains, to accommodate more passengers.

Currently there are five RAC berths in Sleeper coaches, which have been increased to seven and as a result 14 passengers can be accommodated.

Passengers are provided sitting accommodation at lower side berths marked RAC and two passengers can sit in one berth.

In the 3AC coaches, there were only two berths which have been increased to four to accommodate total eight passengers.

For the 2AC coaches, RAC berths has been increased to three from the existing two. Now six passengers can be accommodated.