Good News: Railway travel is going to be cheaper, 3AC fare will be reduced by 8 percent.

Ministry of Railways has formally announced the launch of a new class Economy AC 3 (AC 3 Tier) equipped with modern facilities and specially designed for the differently abled.  50 coaches of such economy AC-3 have been given to different zones.  Along with this, its rent has been fixed.  Which is eight percent less than the basic fare of AC 3 in general category.

Railway Board officials said that economy AC 3 coaches will be installed in Mail-Express and Superfast trains running across the country.  These coaches will be installed in place of sleepers.  It has been decided to reduce the number of sleeper coaches in trains.  He said that in Economy AC 3, the rate of child fare, all types of concessions, cancellation and refund rules will be applicable as per normal AC 3.  He informed that booking of Economy AC 3 in Prayagraj-Jaipur Express (Train No. 02403) has started from Saturday.  So far 50 Economy AC 3 coaches have been sent to various Zonal Railways.

He informed that there are 83 berths in Economy AC 3, while there are 72 berths in General AC 3.  That is, there will be 11 additional berths in a coach.  In the same proportion, the Railways has kept the fare of Economy AC 3 less by eight percent.  These coaches are specially designed for the differently abled.  In this, modern arrangements have been made for mobile phone charging facility, magazine holders, fire safety.  Comfortable stairs have been made to climb to the upper berth.

Officials said the fare for the new coaches is 2.4 times the base price of the existing sleeper class mail and express trains.  50 such coaches have been given to different zonal railways.  He said, “Now, since the fare has been fixed, these coaches will be added to the existing Mail Express trains.  These coaches will replace the sleeper class coaches in the trains which are running with maximum length.

He said the base fare up to 300 kms would be Rs 440 which is the lowest in terms of distance, while the maximum base fare for 4,951 to 5,000 kms is Rs 3,065.  Railways had earlier claimed that air-conditioned three-tier economy coaches are being touted as a gamechanger as they will offer the best of AC travel at the most affordable cost.  Regular 3AC coaches have two side berths, which will be increased to three in the new coaches.  According to the Railways’ plan, around 806 new coaches are to be produced by this financial year, either this year or early next year.