Economy AC-3 Coach: Railway passengers will now enjoy the journey of AC-3 coaches in economy class fares. According to Amit Malviya, the Public Relations Officer of the Indian Railways, the Indian Railways has launched a three-tier air-conditioned compartment in economy class.
Passengers who have so far travelled in sleeper class in long-distance trains will now get a chance to travel in AC-3. The fare for these trains is expected to be 8 per cent less than the AC-3 tickets of existing trains. According to media reports, the base fare for a journey of 300 kilometers could be Rs 400, the lowest in terms of distance. The base fare for a distance of 491-500 km is Rs 651, for a distance of 741 to km, the base fare is Rs 908, for 991 to 1000 km, the base fare is Rs 1102. While the base fare of 4951 to 5000 km is expected to be Rs 3,065.
Economy AC-3 train from September 9
The first economy AC3 tier coach will be installed in special train 2403/04 Prayagraj-Jaipur Express under the North Central Railway. The train will chug on the tracks from September 9, the booking for which has surged from last Saturday. The new economy will have 83 seats in AC-3 coaches, while usually, AC-3 coaches have 72 seats, which means it will have 15 per cent more seats.
More facilities in low fare
This coach will have more facilities than normal AC-3. For instance, it will facilitate persons with disabilities to get off wheelchairs at the doors. The bathroom has also been designed keeping in mind the specially-abled. The coach will have a foldable table. There is also space to keep magazines, mobiles and water bottles. It will have modular bio-toilets with touch-free fittings. Personalised reading lights, sockets to charge laptops, mobiles are provided. There are modified stairs to climb middle and upper berths.
800 economy AC-3 coaches to be built
Indian Railways plans to build at least 800 economy class AC-3 coaches by the end of 2021. Out of these 800 coaches, 300 coaches will be built at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, 285 coaches will be manufactured at Modern Coach Factory in Rae Bareli and 177 coaches will be manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala.
