There is good news for crores of passengers traveling in the train. Indian Railways has reduced the fare of AC coaches. Now like before, passengers will get the pleasure of traveling at low fares.
Along with this, bed sheets and pillows will also be available in all AC coaches. Railways has reduced the AC 3-tier economy class fare from today, implementing the old system. Passengers will now have to pay Rs 60 to 70 less for AC 3-tier economy class as compared to AC-3 tier.
Significantly, in September 2021, Indian Railways introduced AC-3 economy coach in trains. Its purpose was to make passengers travel in AC coaches at low cost. However, a year later in November 2022, AC 3-Tier Economy and AC 3-Tier were merged and then the class fare of both became the same. However, now it is being done back separately.
Sheet-blankets will continue to be available on reduction of fare
This decision of the government also means a lot, because despite the reduction in fare, passengers will continue to get facilities like sheet-blanket-pillow. In fact, when the AC-3 economy coach was introduced, the Railways did not provide sheets and blankets to its passengers.
Later, when both the classes were merged and the fare became equal, sheets and blankets were also available in the economy coaches. Railways will maintain this facility even further and it will not be closed even after reducing the fare.
Tickets booked in advance will be refunded
Railways has clearly said that the passengers who have already booked tickets will also be given the benefit of reduced fare. This will include passengers taking tickets through both online or offline mode. For those booking online, the refund money will be sent directly to their account. However, passengers who buy tickets from the counter will have to go to the counter again with the ticket to collect their remaining money.
How many AC-3 economy coaches now
Indian Railways runs only 463 AC-3 economy coaches, while the number of normal AC-3 coaches is 11,277. The facility of AC-3 economy coach is better than normal AC-3 coach. However, the width of the seat is slightly less in this. While there are 72 berths in the normal AC-3 coach, there are 80 berths in the AC-3 economy coach.
How much Railways earned
After the introduction of AC-3 economy class, Railways earned Rs 231 crore in the first year itself. During this, 15 lakh people traveled in this class. The decision to reduce the AC-3 economy class fare has been taken following the recommendations of the Standing Committee of Parliament. The committee has also recommended giving 40 per cent concession in fare to senior citizens.
