According to a railway ministry circular, passengers opting for a berth in the new economy AC 3-tier coach will have to pay 2.4 times the base fare for sleeper travel in mail/express trains.
Economy AC 3-tier fare: Railways has completed preparations to provide cheap travel in air-conditioned coaches of the train. The fare for passengers in AC three tier economy class has been fixed approx. According to media reports, it will be 8 percent cheaper than the normal AC-3 tyre. A new era will begin with the journey in this new class of AC Coaches equipped with premium amenities.
According to the report of TOI, Rajesh Dutt Bajpai, Executive Director (IP) of the Ministry of Railways has given this information. “As production picks up, these new coaches will be added to various Mail/Express and Superfast trains,” he said. However, reports have expressed hope that passengers can get the facility of traveling in Economy AC 3-tier Coaches from next month.
May start from September
Quoting a source, TOI has written that the first economy AC 3 tier coach will be fitted in the special train 02403/02404 Prayagraj-Jaipur Express under North Central Railway and will start running from September. The Indian Railways had earlier this year inducted its first economy AC 3-tier coach, terming it the “cheapest in its class” air-conditioned train journey in the world. Economy AC three tier coaches are being manufactured at Railway Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli and Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Of these, more than 800 coaches will be started in the current financial year.
How much will be the fare for how many kilometers?
TOI has written as per a Railway Ministry circular that passengers opting for a berth in the new economy AC 3-tier coach will have to pay 2.4 times the base fare of sleeper travel in mail/express trains. The base fare i.e. basic fare for a journey of up to 300 kms will be Rs 440 and it will increase as the distance increases.
The base fare for the slab for the maximum distance of 4951-5000 kms will be Rs 3065. Talking about other charges, reservation fee, superfast fee, GST applicable for AC 3 class will be added separately. Explain that the base fare changes every few kilometers after a slab of 300 km.
Check here: Basic fare by distance
Check here: Basic fare by distance
| Distance in Kilometer | Base Fare |
| up to 300 km | Rs 400 |
| 491 to 500 km | Rs 651 |
| from 741 to 750 km | Rs 908 |
| 991 to 1000 km | Rs 1102 |
| from 1476 to 1500 km | Rs 1431 |
| 1976 to 2000 km | Rs 1757 |
| 2476 to 2500 km | 1978 Rs. |
| 2951 to 3000 km | Rs 2196 |
| 3451 to 3500 km | 2412 rupees |
| from 3951 to 4000 km | 2631 rupees |
| 4451 to 4500 km | Rs 2849 |
| 4951 to 5000 km | Rs 3065 |
Features of AC 3 Economy Coach
- It will have 83 berths as against 72 berths in AC 3 tier.
- The speed of the new coaches is 160 kmph.
- Each berth has individual AC vents as in flight.
- Personalized reading light is on.
- Each coach has handicap friendly toilets.
- Bio-toilets with touch-free fittings have been installed.
- There are fire proof berths with better comfort.
- Snack tables have been provided with side berths.
- Personal sockets are provided for charging laptop/mobile.
- Convenient ladder to climb to middle and upper berths.
