New Delhi: A committee constituted by Ministry of Railways reviewed Flexi fares in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains and based on the recommendations Flexi fares were rationalised last week. The changes in the scheme have been implemented for journey commencing on March 15, 2019, and onwards.
The Railway ministry statement stated, “Based on the feedback from different quarters, a committee was constituted to review the flexi fare scheme and based on certain recommendations of the committee, Flexi fare scheme in Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto Trains has been rationalized”.
It may be noted that the flexi fare scheme was introduced in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains from September 9, 2016. Under this scheme, the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of berths sold, subject to maximum limit of 1.5 times in classes Second AC, Sleeper, Second Sitting (reserved), AC Chair Car and 1.4 times in 3rd AC class.
The flexi fares have been rationalized as follows:
1. Flexi fare scheme has been discontinued from 15 trains, with average monthly occupancy of less than 50%, for full year and from 32 trains, with average monthly occupancy between 50 to 75%, during pre-defined lean period of 3 months (February, March & August).
2. The maximum cap of flexi fare scheme has been reduced to 1.4 times in all flexi fare applicable classes.
3. A graded discount has also been introduced in flexi fare trains and Humsafar trains, where class-wise occupancy is less than 60%, four days prior to scheduled departure of the train.
Here is the discount in flexi fare scheme
Worth mentioning here is that the Railways was highly criticised for this surge-pricing scheme. According to data, Railways has earned about Rs 1,500 crore between September 2016 to June 2018. Following this rationalisation, passengers will not have to deal with excessive surge pricing in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains.
For more updates: Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter & Instagram
