PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, April 6: As many as 5 trains originating from Hatia railway station have got 13 AC-3 tier Economy coaches, but none have the linen facility which was resumed on April 1 by the Ranchi Railway division.
Though AC-3 tier Economy coaches have only 8 per cent lesser fare than the three-tier AC coach, still the former has been deprived of the linen facilities which adds an extra level of comfort to the passengers travelling in AC coaches.
The Indian Railways have been developing coaches with improved features to facilitate travel.
Three coaches of AC-3 tier Economy have been attached to the Hatia-Howrah Kriya Yoga Express (Train no.18616 & 18615).
Four more trains, Hatia–Anand Vihar–Hatia Jharkhand SJ Express via Gomoh (Train no.- 12817 & 12818), Hatia–Anand Vihar–Hatia Jharkhand SJ Express via Barkakana (Train no.- 12873 & 12874), Hatia-Yesvantpur express (Train No.- 12835 & 12836) and Hatia-Mumbai LTT SF Express (Train No. 12812 & 12811) have got two coaches each of AC-3 tier Economy.
Following are the fares of the AC-3 tier Economy and three-tier AC coach of 6 trains originating from the Hatia railway station.
| Train Number | AC-3 tier Economy (in Rs) | AC-3 tier (in Rs) |
| 18616/18615 | 650 | 705 |
| 12817/12818/12873/12874 | 1480 | 1575 |
| 12835/12836 | 1890 | 2000 |
| 12812/12811 | 1730 | 1840 |
The Divisional Commercial Manager of Ranchi rail division, Aditya Kumar Choudhary said that according to the policy of the Indian Railway board it has not been authorised to provide linen facility in the AC-3 tier Economy coach.
The new AC-3 tier Economy coach has the provision of entry into the coach and a disabled-friendly toilet in a wheelchair has been made, which is a new initiative.
Several design improvements have been made for improving passenger comfort. The AC ducting has also been redesigned to provide individual vents for each birth.
Passenger conveniences have improved as foldable snack tables, injury-free spaces, individual reading lights and USB charging points have been added. A new ergonomically improved design of the ladder has also been added. There is also increased headroom in the upper and middle berths. The toilets have also improved as the design of Indian and Western-style lavatories has changed.
The interior of the coach has luminescent aisle markers, illuminated berth indicators integrated with night lights with luminescent berth numbers. Besides that, fire safety has been improved by ensuring compliance with the world benchmark of EN45545-2 HL3 for materials, thus meeting the high requirements of the new fire protection standard.
