Indian Railways announced on Sunday that travelling in AC class of Duronto Express trains will be costlier from October 10.
To be on par with Rajdhani-Shatabadi Express, Indian Railways decided to raise the fares for AC classes of Duronto Express trains. However, there will be no change in the fares of sleeper class or non-AC chair cars of Duronto Express.
In addition to the 2 percent hike on all AC classes announced Friday, the revision ranges between ₹100 and ₹120 per ticket and will be effective from 10 October.
"The fares of Duronto Express were less than Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains though it has the same facility. Now, we have made it at par with them by revising the tariff further," Railway Board Member Devi Prasad Pandey told PTI.
For the first time in 10 years, fares for Rajdhani-Shatabadi and Duronto Express were raised by 20 percent in January. This is also the first time passenger fares are hiked twice in a year.
"In the case of tickets already issued at pre-revised rate, the difference in fare and other charge will be recovered for journeys undertaken on or after October 10 either by TTEs (travelling ticket examiners) on the trains or by the booking/reservation offices before the commencement of journey by passenger," the ministry said in a statement.
Passengers, who are travelling on or after 10 October, would have to reach railway stations earlier than usual to queue up before the 'excess fare counters' to pay the difference in fares. TTEs are also instructed to collect the excess fare while checking passengers' tickets on trains.
With the festive season round the corner, longer queues are expected at central railway stations of metropolitan cities Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
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