Representational Pic
New Delhi: Premiere trains, most of them passing through Nagpur such Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto saw 5,871 vacant berths during September 9-October 31 this year, according to the railways. This covered the Puja and Diwali holidays when Railways expect maximum traffic!
Worried over the vacant berths in these premier trains, railways have decided to tweak the flexi fare structure to attract last minute passengers.
According to the latest decision arrived at by the Railway Ministry , which will be made public shortly , the higher fares in premier trains can go upto 40% instead of earlier 50% ceiling after finalisation of the reservation chart.
Vacant berths available after the finalisation of the chart will be offered at 1.4 times higher than the base fare instead of current practice of 1.5 times increase, said a senior railway ministry official.
Under the flexi-fare scheme as it stands now, the fare increases by 10% with every 10% of berths sold subject to maximum prescribed limit 1.5 times in sleeper, 2AC, AC chair car and in 3AC class.
No change has been made in the fare for 1st AC and executive class of travel.
Flexi fare is applied only in the premiere trains named above.
Railways is expecting to earn Rs 500 crore in the current financial year from flexi fare structure in 42 Rajdhanis, 46 Shatabdis and 54 Durontos.
