Indian Railways to offer 10% rebate on vacant berths on all trains from 1 January

Stung by falling number of passengers, the Railways has come up with a 10-per cent rebate offer on vacant berths beginning 1 January in a bid to entice reluctant passengers and fill vacant seats in mail and express trains.

Passengers can avail of the 10-per cent rebate in basic fare in all reserved categories, including AC and Sleeper class, after finalisation of the chart, according to a railway notification.

However, all other charges like reservation and super fast will be applicable.

The 10 per cent discount will be based on basic fare of last ticket sold in the train.

The scheme was originally applicable to premium trains like Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi but now railway has extended it to other express and mail trains on an experimental basis for six months.

''10 per cent rebate shall be applicable on the base fare of last ticket sold for a particular class and train just before preparation of first chart. The discount shall also be applicable for allotment of vacant berths due to non-turned up passengers in the train by TTEs,'' said an order issued by the Railway Board.

The railway ministry has directed that the last sold price of the ticket for the train should be printed on the reservation chart for the purpose of charging difference of fare in the train or charging the passengers of the train without ticket.