Ministry of Railways Introduces Discount Scheme for AC Chair Car and Executive Classes on Trains

In an effort to maximize the utilization of accommodation in trains, the Ministry of Railways has announced a new discounted fare scheme for AC Chair Car and Executive classes on trains with AC sitting accommodation, including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches. The scheme, effective immediately, aims to incentivize travel by offering discounts of up to 25% on the basic fare.

Under the scheme, the discount will be applicable based on the occupancy of the train. Trains with classes that have an occupancy of less than 50% during the last 30 days will be considered for the discounted fares. The fares of competitive modes of transport will be taken into account when determining the discount percentage.

The discount may be provided for specific legs or sections of the journey, including the first-leg, last-leg, intermediate sections, or the entire journey, depending on the occupancy levels. However, passengers who have already booked their tickets will not be eligible for a refund of the fare.

The discounted fare scheme will be initially implemented for a period determined by the Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs) of the respective zones, with a maximum duration of six months from the implementation date. The scheme may be implemented for the entire duration or part of it, based on the demand pattern observed during the specified period.

For trains with inter-zonal origins or destinations, the discount in fare may be offered in consultation with the PCCMs of the other zonal railways or the Managing Director or COM/CCM in the case of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).

The scheme will be regularly reviewed, and adjustments to the discount may be made based on the occupancy levels. If modifications or withdrawal of the scheme are decided, they will also be implemented immediately without any fare difference being charged from already booked passengers.

In cases where the flexi fare scheme is applicable in a particular class and the occupancy is low, the flexi fare scheme may be temporarily withdrawn to increase occupancy. If this measure does not result in improved occupancy, the discounted fare scheme may be introduced for those trains/classes.

However, the discounted fare scheme will not be applicable to special trains introduced for holiday or festival purposes.

It is important to note that tickets booked under Privilege Ticket Orders (PTOs), Railway passes, concessional vouchers, MLA/ex-MLA coupons, warrants, MPs/Ex-MPs, and freedom fighters’ passes will be based on the original class-wise fare and not the discounted fare.

The Tatkal quota will not be earmarked for the decided period in trains where the discount is provided on an end-to-end basis. Additionally, if the discount is given for a part of the journey, the Tatkal quota may not be available for that particular section.

Passengers can avail the discount for tickets booked until the preparation of the first chart and during the current booking process. Onboard Ticket Checking Staff (TTE) may also permit the discount if requested.

Applicability of the Discounted Fare scheme:

1. This scheme shall be applicable in AC Chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
2. The element of discount shall be upto maximum 25% on the basic fare. Other charges like reservation charge, Super fast surcharge, GST, etc., as applicable, shall be levied separately. The discount may be provided in any or all the classes on the basis of occupancy.
3. The train having classes with occupancy less than 50% (either end to end or in some specified legs/sections depending upon the sections where discount is to be provided) during the last 30 days shall be taken into consideration. The fares of competitive mode of transport shall be the criteria while deciding quantum of discount.
4. The discount can be given for the first-leg of journey and/or last leg of journey and/or intermediate sections and/or end to end journey, provided occupancy is less than 50% in that leg/section/end to end, as the case may be.
5. The discount shall be implemented with immediate effect. However, no refund of fare shall be admissible for already booked passengers.
6. Such discount shall be initially implemented for a period as decided by PCCMs of the zones corresponding to the originating station of the train, subject to a maximum of six months for the journey dates from when it is implemented. Discounted fare may be given for the entire duration or part duration or month wise or seasonal or for week days/ weekends based on demand pattern of the aforementioned period.
7. For trains with inter-zonal O-D pairs/destinations, discount in fare may be given in consultation with PCCMs of other Zonal Railways/Managing Director or COM/CCM in the case of KRCL.
8. Further review shall be made regularly and based on the occupancy, the discount may be modified/extended/withdrawn.
9. If modification of discount/withdrawal of the scheme is decided, the same may also be implemented with immediate effect. However no difference of fare shall be charged or collected from already booked passengers.
10. In case of those trains where flexi fare scheme is applicable in a particular class and the occupancy is poor, flexi fare scheme may be withdrawn initially as a measure to increase the occupancy. In case this does not result in improved occupancy, only then discount scheme may be made applicable in those trains/classes.
11. Tickets on PTOs/Difference of fare on Rly passes/Concessional vouchers/MLA/ex-MLAs coupons/Warrants/MPs/Ex-MPs/Freedom fighters etc shall be booked on original class wise fare and not on discounted fare.
12. Tatkal quota shall not be earmarked in such trains for the decided period in case the discount is provided on end to end basis. Further, if discount is provided for part journey of the train, then tatkal quota may not be provided for the part of the journey where discount is given.
13. The discount shall for tickets booked upto preparation of 1^st chart and during current booking. The discount may also be permitted onboard by TTE.
14. This scheme shall not be applicable on special trains introduced as holiday/festival specials etc.

The provision of this scheme shall be applicable upto a period of 1 year.