Provision of discount scheme in AC chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation: Railway Board

Provision of discount scheme in AC chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti & Vistadome coaches – Railway Board Order dated 07.07.2023

भारत सरकार GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
रेल मंत्रालय MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(रेलवे बोर्ड RAILWAY BOARD)

Commercial Circular No. 11 of 2023

No.TC II/2910/2016/Discounted Fares (part file) (E-3329439)

New Delhi, dated 7.7.2023

The Principal Chief Commercial Managers,
All Zonal Railways

Sub: Provision of discount scheme in AC chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti & Vistadome coaches

With a view to optimize utilization of accommodation in trains, Ministry of Railways have decided to delegate powers to Principal Chief Commercial Managers of Zonal Railways to introduce discounted fare scheme in trains with AC sitting accommodation, subject to following terms and conditions:-

1. Applicability:

(i). This scheme shall be applicable in AC chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti & Vistadome coaches.

(ii). The element of discount shall be upto maximum 25% on the basic fare. Other charges like reservation charge, Super fast surcharge, GST, etc. as applicable shall be levied separately. The discount may be provided in any or all the classes on the basis of occupancy.

(iii). The train having classes with occupancy less than 50% (either end-to-end or in some specified legs/sections depending upon the sections where discount is to be provided) during the last 30 days shall be taken into consideration. The fares of competitive modes of transport shall be the criteria while deciding quantum of discount.

(iv) The discount can be given for the first-leg of journey and/or last leg of journey and/or intermediate sections and/or end to end journey, provided occupancy is less than 50% in that leg/section/end-to-end as the case may be.

(v). The discount shall be implemented with immediate effect. However, no refund of fare shall be admissible for already booked passengers.

(vi). Such discount shall be initially implemented for a period as decided by PCCMs of the zones corresponding to the originating station of the train, subject to a maximum of six months for the journey dates from when it is implemented. Discounted fare may be given for the entire duration or part duration or month-wise or seasonal or for weekdays / weekends based on demand pattern of the aforementioned period.

(vii). For trains with inter-zonal O-D pairs/destinations, discount in fare may be given in consultation with the PCCMs of other Zonal Railways/ Managing Director or COM/CCM in the case of KRCL.

(viii). Further review shall be made regularly and based on the occupancy, the discount may be modified/ extended / withdrawn.

(ix) If modification of discount / withdrawal of the scheme is decided, the same may also be implemented with immediate effect. However no difference of fare shall be charged or collected from already booked passengers.

(x) In case of those trains where flexi fare scheme is applicable in a particular class and the occupancy is poor, flexi fare scheme may be withdrawn initially as a measure to increase the occupancy. In case this does not result in improved occupancy, only then discount scheme may be made applicable in those trains/classes.

(xi).Tickets on PTOs/Difference of fare on Rly passes/Concessional Vouchers/MLA/ex-MLAs coupons/Warrants/MPs/Ex-MPs/Freedom fighters etc shall be booked on original class wise fare and not on discounted fare.

(xii). Tatkal quota shall not be earmarked in such trains for the decided period in case the discount is provided on end to end basis. Further, if discount is provided for part journey of the train, then tatkal quota may not be provided for the part of the journey where discount is given.

(xiii). This discount shall for tickets booked upto preparation of 1st chart and during current booking. The discount may also be permitted onboard by TTE.

(xiv). This scheme shall not be applicable on special trains introduced as holiday/ festival specials etc.

2. CRIS is requested to make necessary changes in the software for the implementation of the above.

3. The provisions of this circular shall be applicable up to a period of 1 year i.e. up to 6.07.2024.

4. The receipt of this letter may be acknowledged. Also please check these instructions on the Indian Railways website-www.indianrailways.gov.in under the head commercial circulars.

5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

6. Wide publicity may be given through print and electronic media, DD and AIR and also at stations through public announcements, notice boards, railway websites, etc.

(Vipul Singhal)
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board.

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