As it rolls out next week, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will give a common feature of train travel – Reservation Against Cancellation or RAC – a miss.
The price of the Vande Bharat sleeper train tickets will be slightly higher than existing premium trains like the Rajdhani Express, and will require passengers to shell out a minimum fare equivalent to what is charged for a 400-km distance.
The first train is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Guwahati-Howrah route next week and is expected to reduce travel time by three hours vis-à-vis existing express train service.
“Minimum chargeable distance shall be 400 km…Only confirmed tickets shall be issued for this train. Accordingly, there shall be no provision for RAC/waitlisted/partially confirmed tickets. All available berths will be available from the day of Advance Reservation Period (ARP),” said the Railway Board in its circular issued January 9.
While waitlisted tickets are not accepted and automatically cancelled in AC class of other express trains, RAC tickets are routinely issued in case of non-confirmation. Under RAC, two passengers are allowed to share a side lower berth.
Like other trains, Vande Bharat sleeper will have a quota for women, Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens besides Duty Pass quota for staff.
The passengers will be charged at a rate of Rs 2.4 per km for 3AC, Rs 3.1 per km for 2AC and Rs 3.8 per km for first AC. So, the minimum fare of a Vande Bharat sleeper train, which is up to 400-km distance, will be Rs 960 for 3AC, Rs 1,240 for 2AC and Rs 1,520 for 1AC. Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied separately.
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Similarly, for 1,000 km distance — between the launch route of Howrah and Guwahati — the fare will be Rs 2,400 for 3AC, Rs 3,100 for 2AC, and Rs 3,800 for 1AC. For a 2,000-km distance, the fares are Rs 4,800 for 3AC, Rs 6,200 for 2AC and Rs 7,600 for 3AC.
The fares are slightly higher than those of existing premium trains. While Rajdhani Express does not ply between Howrah and Guwahati, the CSMT Rajdhani between Delhi and Mumbai charges a per km fare of Rs 2.10 (3AC), Rs 2.85 (2AC), and Rs 3.53 (1AC).
The highest fare on Howrah-Guwahati (Kamakhya Junction) route – in Saraighat Express – is Rs 1,410 (3AC), Rs 1,985 (2AC) and Rs 3,320 (1AC).
The semi-high speed Vande Bharat sleeper trains are poised to become a benchmark for luxurious, comfortable and safe travel – a reputation Rajdhani Express trains have been enjoying for decades after their launch, interestingly from Howrah – in 1969.
The first Vande Bharat sleeper train will cover 10 stops across seven districts of West Bengal – Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, Murshidabad, Malda, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar – and Kamrup metropolitan and Bongaigaon in Assam. These will be overnight journeys, commencing late evening and culminating in the morning. The train will have 16 coaches, including 11 3AC, four 2AC and a 1AC.
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The train can travel at a speed of 180 kmph but will only run upto 130 kmph for this service due to safety reasons.
Rajdhani runs at an average speed of 80-90km per hour. Other features of Vande Bharat sleeper include ergonomically designed berths with improved cushioning, automatic doors with vestibules for smooth movement, enhanced ride comfort with superior suspension, and noise reduction.
The train is built with the automatic train protection system – Kavach — and emergency talk-back system. It has disinfectant technology to maintain sanitation, a driver cab with advanced controls and aerodynamic exterior, and automatic exterior passenger doors.
Fare Structure of Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
- GST will be levied separately on this
- Rajdhani Express charges at the rate of Rs. 2.14 (3AC), Rs. Rs. 2.91 (2AC), Rs. 3.60 (1AC) per km
- Fare of existing express train on Howrah-Guwahati route: Rs. 1410 (3AC), Rs. 1985 (2AC), Rs. 3320 (1AC).
