New Delhi: There is good news for train passengers — travelling in AC 3-tier is set to get cheaper.
Indian Railways has issued an order reducing ticket price for AC 3-tier economy class.
It was in September 2021 that Railways had introduced the AC 3-tier economy class, pitching it as the ‘best and cheapest AC travel service’ in the world.
Ticket prices were 6-8% less than normal AC 3-tier.
Passengers could book AC-3 economy tickets under a separate category of ‘3E’ in specific trains where Railways offered such seats.
In November 2022, however, Railways made the fare for 3-tier economy class same as that of AC-3 tier.
Now, last year’s order has been withdrawn and the original fare structure restored.
Passengers who booked tickets online and over the counter will be given a refund of the extra amount they had [aid for AC 3-tier economy.
According to Railway officials, there are 463 AC-3 economy coaches and 11,277 regular AC-3 coaches at present.
The main difference is that AC-3 economy coaches have 80 berths, while normal AC-3 coaches have 72 berths.
Linen was not initially provided in AC economy coaches, but now passengers get that facility.
In the first year of its introduction, AC 3-tier economy class fetched Indian Railways revenue of over Rs 200 crore.
