Get ready to pay more for Rajdhani, Shatabdi tickets from Sep 9

The Railways have decided to introduce a flexi-fare system for premier trains – Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi from September 9, meaning that passengers who book tickets when the train is full will have to pay more.

The base fare for the high-speed and in-demand Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains will be on flexi-fare or surge pricing system. There are total 42 Rajdhani trains, 46 Shatabdi and 54 Duronto trains currently in service.

However, there will be no change in the existing fare for 1AC and Executive Class of travel in premier trains.

While 10 per cent of the seats will be sold in the normal fare in the beginning, it will go on increasing by 10 percent (1.1x) with every 10 per cent of berths sold with the ceiling limit at maximum 50 percent (1.5x) depending upon the demand. For 2AC and Chair Car, the maximum hike is 50 percent while for 3AC, it is 40 percent (1.4x).

In addition, vacant berths left at the time of charting would be offered for current booking. If a lower class seat costs more than a better coach under the flexi-fare system, passengers will be informed and allowed to upgrade. The maximum price for each ticket of a particular train will also be printed in the reservation chart to make it easier for people to upgrade by pay the difference amount.

Other supplementary charges like reservation charges, superfast charge, catering charges, service tax as applicable shall remain unchanged. The refund rules also remained unchanged.

The ministry also confirmed that passengers who have already booked tickets at pre-revision rates will not have to pay more.