Indian Railways to introduce Economy AC 3-Tier coaches; new fares to start from Rs 440

According to sources, the basic cost for up to 300 km would be Rs 440, the lowest according to distance, while the maximum base fare for 4,951 to 5,000 km is Rs 3,065.  

The Indian Railways intends to offer AC 3 economy class on long-distance trains, with the cost estimated to be at least 8 per cent cheaper than an AC Class 3 ticket.
According to media sources, a top Indian Railways official stated that the AC3 economy class is being created to give passengers travelling in sleeper class the amenities of AC coaches. According to the official, the Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory has produced around 50 AC3 economy class coaches. According to sources, the basic cost for up to 300 km would be Rs 440, the lowest according to distance, while the maximum base fare for 4,951 to 5,000 km is Rs 3,065.

By the end of 2021, the Indian Railways intends to build at least 800 AC3 economy class coaches. 300 of the 800 coaches will be built in the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, 285 at the Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli, and 177 at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala.
AC3 economy class coaches will have at least 15 per cent more berths than AC3 coaches. As per the current quota, AC3 coaches have a total of 72 berths. The AC3 economy class coach will seat 83 people. The AC3 coaches have two side berths, while the AC3 economy class coaches will have three.

According to top executives, the Indian Railways intends to reduce the number of sleeper class coaches while increasing AC3 economy class coaches in long-distance passenger trains. According to sources, the Indian Railway profits from the sale of AC3 tickets. The railways typically make a 7 per cent profit on the sale of AC3 tickets. The railways lose 63 per cent of their urban trains, 40 per cent of their non-suburban trains, 24 per cent of their AC1, 27 per cent of their AC2, and 34 per cent of their sleeper class.