Priya Aditi
Saturday, the Ministry of Railways instituted a discount scheme for the AC Chair Car and Executive Classes of all AC-equipped trains, including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
The ministry specifies that the discount shall not exceed 25 percent of the base fare.
Other applicable fees will be assessed separately.
The railways informed that trains with less than 50% occupancy (either end-to-end or in certain specified legs/sections) during the previous 30 days will be considered.
It was stated that the discount would go into effect immediately.
Those who have already purchased tickets will not receive a refund of the reduced fare.
In order to increase the number of passengers on trains where the flexi tariff scheme is applicable in a particular class but occupancy is low, the flexi fare scheme may be temporarily suspended.
This scheme shall not apply to special trains introduced for holidays, festivals, etc.
In order to maximize the utilization of train accommodation, the Ministry of Railways has delegated authority to Zonal Railways to introduce a discounted fare scheme on trains with air-conditioned seating, subject to the following conditions:
Applicability of the Reduced Fare program:
This plan applies to the AC Chair Car and Executive classes of all trains with AC seating accommodations, including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
The amount of discount shall not exceed 25 percent of the base fare. Other fees, such as the reservation fee, ultra fast surcharge, GST, etc., will be assessed separately, as applicable. Based on occupancy, the discount may be provided in any or all courses.
During the last 30 days, trains with less than 50% class occupancy (either end-to-end or in certain specified legs/sections depending on the sections where discounts are to be provided) will be considered.
When determining the amount of a discount, the fares of competing modes of transportation shall serve as a criterion.
The discount may be applied to the first-leg of the journey, the last-leg of the journey, intermediate sections, and/or the entire journey, provided that occupancy is less than 50 percent in that leg/section/journey.
The discount shall become effective immediately. However, there shall be no refund of fare for passengers who have already been booked.
This discount shall initially be implemented for a period determined by the PCCMs of the zones corresponding to the train’s origin station, up to a maximum of six months from the date it is implemented.
A discounted fare may be offered for the entire duration, a portion of the duration, by month, by season, or for weekdays/weekends based on the demand pattern during the aforementioned time frame.
In consultation with PCCMs of other Zonal Railways/Managing Director or COM/CCM in the case of KRCL, fare discounts may be provided for trains with inter-zonal O-D pairs/destinations.
If a change to the discount or cancellation of the program is decided, it may be implemented immediately.
However, no fare difference shall be levied or collected from passengers who have already been booked.
In order to increase the number of passengers on trains where the flexi tariff scheme applies to a particular class but occupancy is low, the flexi fare scheme may be temporarily suspended.
Only if this does not result in an increase in passenger volume may a discount scheme be implemented on these trains/classes.
Tickets for PTOs/difference of fare on Rly passes/concessional vouchers/MLA/ex-MLAs coupons/warrants/MPs/ex-MPs/freedom fighters, etc. must be booked at the original class-based tariff, not the discounted fare.
If the discount is provided on an end-to-end basis, Tatkal quotas shall not be reserved in such trains for the specified time period.
Moreover, if a discount is offered for a portion of the train’s journey, the tatkal quota cannot be provided for the discounted portion of the journey.
The discount applies to tickets booked prior to the preparation of the first chart and during the present booking period.
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The discount may also be offered by TTE onboard.
This scheme shall not apply to special trains introduced for holidays, festivals, etc.
This scheme’s provisions shall be applicable for a period of one year.
