Indian Railway starts Surge Pricing in Ticket fares in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains

Well now get ready to shell out more cash on your train ticket bookings at IRCTC or at the railway stations, especially if you are booking in the last hours.

India Railway has introduced ‘Surge Pricing’ or ‘flexi fare system’ on ticket fares in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains. So, starting this Friday (9th September 2016) you may need to book train tickets at a higher price, as the ticket fares will rise 10 percent for every 10 percent ticket sold.

Under the Railways flexi fare system, the base fares will increase by 10 percent with every 10 percent of tickets booked. The fare can go right up to 1.5 times of the original base fare for Second AC (2A), Sleeper class (SL), Seater class (2S) and AC chair car (CC). As a relief, the surge pricing can’t be more than 40 percent of the ticket price.

For example, for the first 10% of the train tickets, the normal charge would be Rs 100 per ticket. After the first 10% of the ticket have been sold out, sure pricing will come into effect. For the next 10% of the train tickets, there will be a 10% increase in base fare, So, the ticket rate will become Rs 110 per ticket. This continues to a maximum 1.5 times of the original base fare.

IRCTC flexi fare system

Do note that the surge pricing is only on the base fare of the train ticket, other charges like reservation charges, superfast charge, catering charges, service tax etc, will still be applicable.

The new surge pricing won’t affect the Tatkal ticket booking. As the railway is already taking 1.5 times of the base fare for all classes while booking a tatkal train ticket.

There will be no change in the existing tickets fare for first class AC (1AC) and executive class coaches (EC). Also for those who have pre-booked the tickets in advance will not have to pay more.