The Ministry of Railways on 8th July 2023, Saturday announced that fares of AC chair car, and executive classes of all trains, including Vande Bharat, will be reduced by up to 25 percent. It said the decision is part of a discounted fare scheme in trains that saw below-50 percent occupancy during the last 30 days.
 
With a view to optimise accommodation in trains, the Ministry said it has decided to delegate powers to Zonal Railways to introduce discounted fare scheme in trains with AC sitting accommodation. This scheme shall be applicable in AC Chair Car and Executive classes of all trains having AC sitting accommodation including Anubhuti and Vistadome coaches.
 
The element of discount shall be upto a maximum 25 percent on the basic fare. Other charges like reservation charge, Super fast surcharge, GST, etc as applicable, shall be levied separately. The discount may be provided in any or all the classes on the basis of occupancy. The Ministry said the discount shall be implemented with immediate effect.
 
However, no refund of fare shall be admissible for already booked passengers. In case of those trains where the flexi fare scheme is applicable in a particular class and the occupancy is poor, flexi fare scheme may be withdrawn initially as a measure to increase the occupancy. Tatkal quota shall not be earmarked in such trains for the decided period in case the discount is provided on end to end basis. Further, if the discount is provided for the part journey of the train, then Tatkal quota may not be provided for the part of the journey where the discount is given. This scheme will not be applicable on special trains introduced as holiday or festival specials etc.