Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Structure Explained: Why It Is Costlier Than Rajdhani
Indian Railways has finalised the fare structure and reservation rules for the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, introducing a premium pricing model that makes the service more expensive than Rajdhani Express trains on comparable routes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the first Vande Bharat Sleeper on 17th January from Kamakhya in Assam. India's first Vande Bharat Sleeper will operate on the Kamakhya - Howrah route.
Let's take a look at the confirmed fare structure for the Vande Bharat Sleeper and find out just why this will be the most expensive train service operated by the Indian Railways. The fare structure for the Vande Bharat Sleeper is as follows:
Vande Bharat Sleeper Fare Per Kilometre (Before GST)
| Class | Fare Per Km |
|---|---|
| AC 3-Tier | ₹2.40 |
| AC 2-Tier | ₹3.10 |
| AC First Class | ₹3.80 |
Vande Bharat Sleeper - Minimum Fare For Journeys Up To 400km
Under the new pricing framework, the Indian Railways has confirmed that passengers travelling on the Vande Bharat Sleeper will be charged for a minimum distance of 400km, even if the actual journey distance is shorter. This minimum slab applies across all travel classes and directly impacts the base fare. Based on the minimum distance rule, the base fares for journeys up to 400km are as follows, excluding applicable GST.
| Class | Minimum Fare |
|---|---|
| AC 3-Tier | ₹960 |
| AC 2-Tier | ₹1,240 |
| AC First Class | ₹1,520 |
So Why Are Vande Bharat Sleeper Fares Higher Than The Rajdhani?
The combination of higher per-kilometre rates and the 400km minimum chargeable distance results in fares that exceed those of the Rajdhani Express on many routes. Rajdhani trains do not apply a minimum distance slab and follow a lower per-km fare structure. However, the Vande Bharat Sleeper will offer much faster journey times, better amenities and a higher standard of travel.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Reservation Rules: No RAC Or Waiting List
Indian Railways has removed RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) and waiting list provisions for the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express. Only fully confirmed tickets will be available for booking. All berths will be released on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), with no seats reserved for cancellations or subsequent upgrades.
The Vande Bharat Sleeper is designed as a next-generation overnight train from Indian Railways and has undergone high-speed trials at speeds of up to 180km/h ahead of its planned commercial rollout, which will happen on January 17th when the first Vande Bharat Sleeper sets off from Kamakhya (Assam) to Howrah (West Bengal).
Image Source: PTI
Continue with Google