West Central Railway to replace AC 3-Tier with AC 3-Economy in 14 trains from June 15
The West Central Railway (WCR) has announced a significant change for passengers by deciding to replace AC Three Tier coaches with AC Three Economy coaches in 14 prominent trains. This transition is scheduled to begin on June 15, 2026, and will continue in phases until June 24, 2026. The primary objective is to make air-conditioned travel more affordable for the general public while effectively managing the high passenger demand during peak seasons. Most of these trains originate from the Bhopal division, catering to a large volume of travelers.
What are the benefits of AC Three Economy coaches?
The introduction of AC Three Economy coaches brings several advantages for daily commuters and long-distance travelers. These coaches are designed with 83 berths instead of the usual 72, which helps in accommodating more passengers in a single coach. More importantly, the fares for these coaches are expected to be around 6 to 8 percent lower than standard AC Three Tier tickets. Each berth is equipped with modern facilities like individual AC vents, reading lights, and mobile charging points. The coaches also feature wider entry doors and disabled-friendly toilets to ensure better accessibility for all passengers. According to Naval Agarwal from the Bhopal division, this initiative will enhance overall passenger facilities.
List of trains and implementation dates
The rollout will happen in a phased manner across various routes. The first train to receive the new coach will be the Rani Kamalapati–Rewa Express. Below is the detailed list of trains that will feature the new AC Three Economy coaches and their respective start dates.
| Train Number and Name | Implementation Date |
|---|---|
| 12185 Rani Kamalapati–Rewa Express | June 15, 2026 |
| 12186 Rewa–Rani Kamalapati Express | June 16, 2026 |
| 12155 Rani Kamalapati–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express | June 17, 2026 |
| 20156 New Delhi–Dr Ambedkar Nagar Express | June 18, 2026 |
| 20155 Dr Ambedkar Nagar–New Delhi Express | June 19, 2026 |
| 12156 Hazrat Nizamuddin–Rani Kamalapati Express | June 20, 2026 |
| 22165 Bhopal–Singrauli Express | June 20, 2026 |
| 22167 Singrauli–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express | June 21, 2026 |
| 11633 Bhopal–Chopan Express | June 21, 2026 |
| 22168 Hazrat Nizamuddin–Singrauli Express | June 22, 2026 |
| 11634 Chopan–Bhopal Express | June 22, 2026 |
| 11631 Bhopal–Dhanbad Express | June 22, 2026 |
| 22166 Singrauli–Bhopal Express | June 23, 2026 |
| 11632 Dhanbad–Bhopal Express | June 24, 2026 |