Indian Railways yesterday introduced flexi fare or surge pricing system on the Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains with effect from September 9. Under the new ‘flexi fare system’, the base fare of tickets will increase with the rising demand. The new fare structure will, however, not be applicable to 1AC and executive class coaches.
“The base fares will increase 10% with every 10% of berths sold,” the Railway Ministry said in a statement. Vacant berths left at the time of charting would be offered for current booking. Tickets under current booking shall be sold at the last price sold for that class and other supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax etc., as applicable shall be levied in full.
The present limit of berths set aside for Tatkal quota in these trains shall be operated as per the existing guidelines. The berths assigned under the Tatkal quota shall be booked at the rate of 1.5 times of the base fare for all classes (2S, SL, 2A, 3A and CC) except 1AC and EC. Other supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax etc., as applicable shall be levied in full. However, no additional charges as “Tatkal charges” will be levied. “There shall be no Premium Tatkal Quota in these train services,” the Ministry said.
While the first 10% of the seats will be sold at the normal fare, the base fare will increase by 10% with every 10% of berths sold. Once half the tickets are sold, the rest will be sold at 1.5 times higher base fares for 2S, sleeper and 2AC coaches, and 1.4 times higher for 3AC coaches.
The fares for travel in 3AC coach of Mumbai Rajdhani Express from Delhi to Mumbai can go up to INR 2,736 from INR 2,085 at present, if the highest surge rate applies.
Similarly, in the same train, the fares for 2AC can go up to INR 4,054 from INR 2,870 at present. Ticket for travel in 1AC coach in the same train costs INR 4,755 at present.
The new fare system will affect the sleeper class passengers of Duronto trains too. The fares for a passenger on MAS Duronto Express for travel between Delhi and Chennai can go up to INR 1,617 from INR 1,210 at present.
The Railway Ministry said it will display information to passengers during the booking “in case the fare of lower class becomes higher than the higher class to exercise option to travel by the higher class.”
Railways introduces ‘flexi fare’
