New Delhi: The reduction in train fares, as announced by the Railway Minister Lalu Prasad in the Rail budget 2008-09, today formally came into effect.

The AC First Class fares are reduced by approximately 7 per cent during lean season and by approximately 3.5 per cent during peak season while in popular trains, it will be approximately 3.5 per cent for all seasons.

The reduction in 2-Tier AC shall be approximately 4 per cent during lean season and by about 2 per cent in the peak season and for popular trains, the cut in fares shall be approximately 2 per cent for all seasons.

The second class non-suburban fares have been reduced by giving discount of one rupee in case of existing basic fares upto Rs 50 per passenger.

The fare reduction will be 5 per cent in case of fares beyond Rs 50 per passenger. It will be applicable for non-suburban Mail and Express including superfast trains and ordinary passenger trains.

Peak season, defined by the railway, is from April 1 to July 31 and September 1 to January 31.

Lean season has been categorised from February 1 to March 31 and August 1 to August 31.

For tickets already issued at pre-revised rates, refund, in terms of difference in fares, will be given to passengers. It can be taken either before commencement of journey or within three days of completion of journey.
Source : PTI