Vande Bharat Sleeper Train: Great news! Now you'll only get confirmed tickets, no more worries about waiting lists or RAC..
Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Structure: When planning a long-distance journey, the first thing that comes to mind is whether you'll get a confirmed ticket. The worry of getting stuck in RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) or being on the waiting list and having your entire plan ruined is a common concern, especially for overnight journeys. Amidst these concerns, the railways are now introducing a train that claims to eliminate these hassles.
What is the Vande Bharat Sleeper train and why is it special?
Following the success of the Vande Bharat Express, the railways have now developed the Vande Bharat Sleeper train for long-distance travel. This will be India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper train designed for overnight journeys. The train will be fully air-conditioned and will offer a premium experience to its passengers. The railways state that this train is for ordinary passengers, not for any privileged few.
No VIP Quota in this train
The biggest feature of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train is that there will be no VIP quota. There is no separate quota reserved for officers, ministers, or senior officials. Even senior railway officials will not be able to travel on this train using their passes. This means the rules will be the same for all passengers.
Only Confirmed Tickets, No RAC or Waiting List
The ticket booking system for this train has been completely changed. There will be no RAC or waiting list on the Vande Bharat Sleeper. The railways have made it clear that only confirmed tickets will be issued. If seats are not available, no ticket will be issued. This will allow passengers to know in advance whether their journey is confirmed or not.
All Seats will be Open for Booking on the First Day
The railways have also decided that all berths on the Vande Bharat Sleeper will be open for booking on the very first day of the advance reservation period. The entire train will be available for booking on the first day. This will prevent last-minute confusion and problems.
Emphasis on Digital Payments
The railways want tickets for this train to be purchased digitally as much as possible. If a ticket is canceled after being purchased online or through digital payment, the refund will also be processed quickly. Digital payments will be prioritized even for tickets purchased at the window.
Elderly women and children will get the benefit of lower berths.
The railways have also clarified that wherever possible, elderly male passengers above 60 years of age and women above 45 years of age will be given lower berths. If a passenger is traveling with a young child and a separate berth has not been booked for the child, there will still be a possibility of getting a lower berth.
How will the Vande Bharat Sleeper train fare be determined?
The fare for the Vande Bharat Sleeper train has been determined based on distance, but there is a special rule. A minimum fare for 400 kilometers will have to be paid even if you travel a shorter distance. The fare will be exclusive of GST.
Base fare for 1AC, 2AC and 3AC
According to the railways, the fare for 3AC will be Rs 2.4 per kilometer.
For 2AC, it has been fixed at Rs 3.1 per kilometer and for 1AC, at Rs 3.8 per kilometer.
The minimum fare up to 400 kilometers will be Rs 960 in 3AC, Rs 1240 in 2AC and Rs 1520 in 1AC.
Fare for travel from Howrah to Guwahati
The first route of the Vande Bharat Sleeper will be from Howrah to Kamakhya, near Guwahati, which is approximately 958 kilometers.
On this route, the fare for 3AC has been fixed at approximately Rs 2299.
For 2AC, passengers will have to pay approximately Rs 2970.
The fare for 1AC will be approximately Rs 3640. 5 percent GST will be added separately to this.
How much will it cost on shorter routes?
If you travel from Howrah to New Jalpaiguri, the 3AC fare will be Rs 1334.
The 3AC fare from Howrah to Malda Town has been kept at Rs 960.
On these same routes, the 2AC fare is Rs 1724 and Rs 1240 respectively. The same journey in 1AC will cost Rs 2113 and Rs 1520.
How much more expensive is the Vande Bharat Sleeper compared to existing trains?
Compared to existing trains, the Vande Bharat Sleeper fare is slightly higher. Currently, the maximum fare for 3AC on the Saraighat Express from Howrah to Guwahati is Rs 1410, while the same journey on the Vande Bharat Sleeper will cost approximately Rs 2299. However, the railways say that in exchange for the higher fare, passengers will get more facilities and a more reliable journey.
What special facilities will be available on the train?
The Vande Bharat Sleeper train will have comfortable berths with better cushioning.
The train will have automatic doors.
There will be less noise and fewer jerks during the journey.
The Kavach system has been installed for safety.
Every coach will have CCTV cameras, and special attention will be paid to cleanliness.
Passengers will receive high-quality blankets and bed linen.
Local food and uniformed staff
Passengers on this train will also get to enjoy local cuisine. The entire train staff will be in uniform, making them easily identifiable for passengers. The railways say that glimpses of Indian culture will also be visible inside the train.
When will the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train start?
According to the Railway Minister, the trial and testing of the Vande Bharat Sleeper train have been completed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper train on the Howrah to Guwahati route in January. After this, such trains will be gradually introduced on other routes as well.
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