CHENNAI: The Railway Board has approved the fare structure for the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper Express, which is set to be introduced across Indian Railways with higher speed, improved comfort, modern facilities and enhanced safety features.

According to a commercial circular issued by the Railway Board, the Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will operate with only confirmed tickets, with no provision for RAC, waitlisted or partially confirmed tickets. The train will have 1AC, 2AC and 3AC classes.

The basic fare will be all-inclusive, while Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied separately as applicable. The minimum chargeable distance has been fixed at 400 km, and all available berths will be opened from the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP).

Only select quotas will be applicable on the train, Ladies quota, Senior Citizen quota, quota for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Duty Pass quota. No other reservation quotas will be permitted.

The circular also states that digital payments will be preferred for ticket purchases to enable initiation of refunds within 24 hours of cancellation. Normal child fare rules will apply, and the system will attempt to allot lower berths to eligible senior citizens and passengers travelling with children, subject to availability.

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has been directed to make the necessary software changes, while zonal railways have been instructed to ensure that all operational details are made available to staff well in advance.