Indian Railways has decided to offer a discount of up to 25% on AC Chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
The element of discount will be up to a maximum of 25% on the basic fare. Other charges like reservation charges, Super fast surcharge, GST, etc., as applicable, will be levied separately.
The discount will be provided in any or all classes based on the occupancy. This discount is not applicable on special trains introduced as holiday/festival specials, etc.
The train having classes with occupancy less than 50% (either end to end or in some specified legs/sections) during the last 30 days will be taken into consideration.
Indian Railways has decided to delegate powers to Zonal Railways to decide the quantum of discount based on the fares of the competitive mode of transport.
The discount will be implemented with immediate effect. However, no refund of fare will be admissible for already booked passengers.
The discount will be initially implemented for a period as decided by PCCMs of the zones 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 weekdays/ weekends based on the demand pattern of the aforementioned period.
For trains with inter-zonal O-D pairs/destinations, discount in fare will be given in consultation with PCCMs of other Zonal Railways/Managing Director or COM/CCM in the case of KRCL.
Further review will be made regularly and based on the occupancy, the discount will be modified or extended, or withdrawn.
If modification of discount/withdrawal of the scheme is decided, the same will be implemented with immediate effect. However, no difference in fare will be collected from already-booked passengers.
In case of those trains where the flexi fare scheme is applicable in a particular class and the occupancy is poor, the flexi fare scheme will be withdrawn initially as a measure to increase the occupancy.
In case of elimination of flexi fare does not result in improved occupancy, only then discount schemes will be made applicable in those trains/classes.
The tatkal quota will not be earmarked in such trains for the decided period in case the discount is provided on end to end basis.
Further, if the discount is provided for the part journey on the train, then the tatkal quota will not be provided for the part of the journey where the discount is given.
The discount is applicable for tickets booked up to the preparation of 1st chart and during the current booking. The discount will also be permitted onboard by TTE.
“The provision of this scheme will be applicable up to 1 year” stated a Press Release by the Ministry of Railways in Press Information Bureau here.