The Indian Railways is revising the tickets for some short-distance Vande Bharat trains with low occupancy in an effort to save costs and make the trains more affordable for passengers.
The fares will also depend on those of competitive modes of transport. With a view to optimising utilisation of accommodation, the rail ministry has decided to delegate powers to principal chief commercial managers of railway zones to introduce discounted fare schemes in trains with AC seating.
The Nagpur-Bilaspur Express, Indore-Bhopal, the Bhopal-Jabalpur, and other Vande Bharat trains are likely included in this group. Only 21% of seats were filled on the Indore-Bhopal Vande Bharat Express, compared to 29% on the Bhopal-Jabalpur Vande Bharat service.
A fare reduction is also being considered for the Bhopal-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express, which had a 32% occupancy rate during its 4.5-hour journey but had a 55% average occupancy during its 5 hours and 30-minute journey from Nagpur to Bilaspur.
Currently, ticket for the Indore-Bhopal Vande Bharat train costs 950 for an AC Chair Car and 1,525 for an Executive Chair Car. Similar to how the Chair Car costs $1,075 and the Executive Class costs $2,045 on the Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express. An executive chair vehicle ticket from Bhopal to Jabalpur costs $1,880, while an AC chair costs $1,055. The price for the return trip is, however, different. An AC chair costs $955, while an executive chair car costs $1790.
As long as there is less than 50% occupancy on that leg, section, or entire trip, the discount can be applied to either the first or last leg, intermediate portions, or entire trip.
“The discount shall be implemented with immediate effect. no refund of fare shall be admissible for already booked passengers.