Mumbai, Jan 20: Holders of first class season pass can now travel in the recently launched AC rakes, by paying the difference between the two fares, said a circular issued by the Western Railways on Friday. The decision was taken considering the lack of commuters on the  air-conditioned electrical multiple unit (EMU) during the peak hours, reports said.

The chief booking supervisors are charged as of now to collect the fare difference and issue the excess fare ticket (EFT) receipt to the first class pass holders who want to travel in the AC EMU rakes. The facility, however, would soon be extended at the ticket booking centres as well.

For non-pass holders who buy the first-class ticket, no penalty would be levied if they board the AC rake, provided the commuters pay the difference in fare to the ticket checker.

As per the Railway circular, the facility would remain applicable only till June 26, 2018, which is the final slated date till a discounted rate would be charged for AC rake tickets.

The incumbent rate of first-class monthly pass between Churchgate to Borivali and Churchgate to Virar is Rs 755 and Rs 1,185 respectively. To upgrade for AC rake pases, the pass-holders will have to pay the difference amount of Rs 845 and Rs 855 respectively.

Similarly, for one-way single ticket, the AC-rake charge of Churchgate-Virar and Churchgate-Borivali is Rs 205 and Rs 165, as compared to Rs 170 and Rs 140 respectively for the non-AC first-class fare for the same routes. Commuters who board the AC rake with the normal first class ticket will have to pay the difference to the ticket checker, without any additional penalty.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 20, 2018 11:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).