Indian Railways Flexi Fare scheme: Rates on Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto Express may be revised

Indian Railways Flexi Fare scheme may see 3 major changes soon. These changes will be introduced in the scheme over the next two months by the Railway Ministry. The Indian Railways Flexi Fare scheme, launched on September 9, 2016, is applicable to Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express and Duronto Express trains. Under the scheme, only 10 per cent of the seats are sold at the normal fare and thereafter the price is increased by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths being sold with a ceiling of 50 per cent.

Sources close to the development informed Zee Business's Sameer Dixit that, "The railway ministry is planning to introduce the rental slabs of Humsafar Express trains for these three trains, where the Flexi Fare scheme is being implemented. The slabs will be introduced with an aim to simplify the Flexi Fare scheme, which has always faced criticism."

Highlights of the changes

• Under the revised Flexi Fare Scheme, the first 50 per cent berths of these trains will be sold at 15 per cent higher price than the base price. Thereafter, the price will be increased by 10 per cent with every 10 per centof berths are sold.
• The Ministry is also considering another option, under which special discounts will be offered on the fares, especially on the routes on which the number of passengers is less. For example, special discounts on the tickets will be provided to passengers who board a Shatabdi en route from Delhi to Lucknow, at Tudla or Kanpur, the stations where many seats fall vacant. Such discounts will be provided to make sure that the berths are filled at these two stations.
• The third and most important change being worked at the ministry is to replace all AC 2 coaches in Rajdhani express with AC 3 coaches. The railways will be replacing all AC 2 coaches in Rajdhani express in a year by installing 250 AC 3 coaches in it.

According to senior railway officials, 2 AC 2 coaches are attached to every Rajdhani Express, however, fewer passengers like to book tickets in these coaches. Thereby, there is a revenue loss to the Indian Railways.
On the other hand, AC 3 coaches always remain in demand by the passengers and this demand helps the Indian Railways to raise profits or reach the break-even mark.