Introduction
Indian Railways continues its commitment to enhancing passenger comfort with the introduction of the AC Three Tier Economy(3E) Class Coach, a welcome addition to its developmental journey. Commencing its service on 06th Sept-21 in Train No. 02403 Prayagraj-Jaipur Express, Rail Coach Factory, Kaputhala, has manufactured the initial batch of 50 Economy coaches for deployment in Mail/Express trains across various zones. Lets dive in and find its uniqueness , seat map etc to plan journey with comfort.
What is 3e in Train
3e stands for 3 Tier Economy AC class. Introduced in year 2021, 3E class of travel offered by the Indian Railways to provide air-conditioned travel at a more affordable price compared to the standard 3 Tier AC coaches making AC travel accessible to a wider segment of the population.
The Indian Railways' introduction of the 3 Tier Economy Coach (3E) has opened up new possibilities for budget-conscious travellers seeking a comfortable and affordable AC travel experience.
What are the facilities in 3E Coach
While offering lower fares, the 3E coach doesn't compromise significantly on comfort. Here are some of its key features:
- Increased seating capacity to 83 Berth
- CCTV cameras
- Ergonomic Ladder Design facilitates easy access to middle and upper berths.
- Seats & Berths are aesthetically designed, lightweight, and durable, complying with the EN-45545-2 standard for enhanced safety and quality.
- Adjustable Air Conditioning Vents for Each berth.
- Pressurized Flushing System with Eco-friendly bio-toilets.
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets a new initiative for enhanced accessibility.
- LED-Type Luminaries are provided for their better aesthetics, enhancing the overall lighting within the train.
- Each berth is equipped with individual reading lights.
- Luminescent Interior: The interior of the coach boasts luminescent aisle markers and illuminated berth indicators integral with night lights, enhancing visibility and ambiance.
- Fire Safety Compliance: The coach ensures complying with the world benchmark of EN45545-2 HL3 for materials, meeting high requirements for the new fire protection standard.
Difference between 3A and 3E Coach
While both offer AC travel, there are some key differences between the 3A and 3E Tier coaches:
Feature | 3 Tier Standard (Coach 3A) | 3 Tier Economy (Coach 3E) |
---|---|---|
Seating capacity | 72 | 83 |
Leg space/comfort | More | Less |
Fare | Standard | 6 to 8% less fare compared to 3A |
Individual AC Vent | No | Yes |
Coach code | B1, B2, etc. | M1, M2, etc. |
Disabled Toilet | No | Yes |
CCTV | Yes | Yes |
Washbasin Tap | Hand operated | Leg operated |
3E Coach Seat Map
The 3E coach has same seat layout as compared to 3A i.e Standard 3 tier AC coach.
Difference between 3E and 3A Fare
The 3E coach offers fares 6-8% lower than the standard AC 3 Tier coach, making it a more affordable option.
Do we get bedding in 3E
Yes.Additional amenities like bedsheets, pillows, Blankets are included in the 3E fare.
Cancellation charges for 3E
The cancellation charges rules are same as standard 3A coach over Indian Railway.
Can we sleep in 3E class?
Yes.Berths in 3E (AC 3-tier Economy) class are designed for sleeping.
Why 3E is cheaper than 3A?
3E (AC 3-tier Economy) are cheaper than 3A because of less space available in coach compared to 3A. 3E is also expected to replace Non AC sleeper coaches in Near future so reduced price is kept so that wider public can opt to travel.
What is the seat capacity of the 3e coach?
The seating capacity of 3E coach which stands for AC 3-tier Economy class is 83.