Railways rationalises Flexi Fare scheme

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Railways has reviewed Flexi Fare Scheme and discontinued Flexi-fare in trains with average monthly occupancy less than 50% throughout the previous year. It has also discontinued Flexi-fare during lean period of 3 months in trains with average monthly occupancy between 50-75% throughout the previous year. Maximum current cap of 1.5 times to be reduced to 1.4 times in all classes. Flexi Fare has been completely removed from 15 trains.

Flexi Fare Scheme was launched with effect from September 9, 2016. The scheme generated high revenue. However, initially there was a drop of passengers which picked up later on. Further, to rationalise the fares, an 8 member committee was formed to review the scheme and make it more passenger friendly. The review of the scheme has been done based on the recommendation of the committee, Comptroller and Auditor General’s report, and representations from passengers, according to a PIB release.

To increase the occupancy of less patronised classes (2A, 3A, CC etc.), Graded discount of 20% on last fare on all trains with Flexi Fare and Humsafar Trains, where occupancy of a particular class is less than 60% (4 days prior to scheduled departure of the train), has been introduced.

The changes shall be implemented from Advance Reservation Period (ARP) i.e. 4 months, after making necessary changes in Passenger Reservation System, on an experimental basis for six months to be further extended after assessing its outcome.