Good News: AC 3-Tier Economy Class Travel Gets Cheaper

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Now, last year’s order has been withdrawn and the original fare structure restored.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.