What Is Flexi Fare System Of Indian Railways?

The IRCTC platform of the Indian Railways introduced flexi-fare system on the base fares for the luxury and fast trains including Rajdhani, Duronto, Tejas Express and the recently launched Vande Bharat Express or Train 18.

Why the system is in place for luxury trains?

This was done to monetize the railway ticket booking procedure well in advance and further to generate higher revenue from bookings made only few days or very closer to the actual scheduled train departure.

And to the system in place, the amendments were made on the recommendations of the deployed committee, the CAG as well as the feedback received from passengers. In 2018, flexi fare system was withdrawn from some 15 trains as well as the rates were lowered in case of as many as 100 trains.

All the relevant details

As per the IRCTC in the system, the base fare rate in case of these premium trains is increased by 10% after 10% of the train berths are booked, subject to the higher limit prescribed for the same. For EC and AC 1st, there will be no changed in the current fares and also other charges including reservation charges, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax, will be charged separately.

In case of the vacant berths at the time of charting, the fares will be the same charged as priced for the last price for which the tickets of the same class were sold. Also, there is a limit set for berths reserved under the tatkal quota in the flexi-fare system. Interestingly, for these berths, there is no such charge as tatkal fee. The berths assigned under the tatkal quota shall be booked at the rate of 1.5 times of the base fare for all classes (2S, SL, 2A, 3A and CC).

Also, there is no premium tatkal quota facility for tickets booked as part of the flexi-fare system.

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