Long-distance train travel is set to get costlier in India from today, December 26, after the Indian Railways rolled out a nationwide fare hike that marks the second such increase in six months.
In a statement, the Indian Railways said the fare rationalisation is expected to generate around Rs 600 crore in additional revenue this year.
Under the revised train fares, the passengers travelling up to 500 km in non-AC coaches will have to pay an additional Rs 10. The national transporter has increased fares for Mail and Express trains in non-AC coaches by 2 paise per km, while AC class fares have also been raised by 2 paise per km.
The Ministry of Railways said the increase was necessary to meet the rising manpower costs. It also noted that over the past decade, Indian Railways has significantly expanded its network and operations, reaching even the remotest corners of the country.
The ministry had announced the decision on December 21. This marks the second passenger fare revision this year, after an earlier hike implemented in July.
No change for suburban services and season tickets
In a statement, the Railway Ministry said the fare rationalisation aims to balance passenger affordability with operational sustainability.
It clarified that there will be no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes.
For ordinary non-AC (non-suburban) services, fares have been revised in a graded manner across second class ordinary, sleeper class ordinary, and first class ordinary.
Fare Hike:
No fare increase for journeys up to 215 km
Rs 5 increase for distances between 216 km and 750 km
Rs 10 increase for distances between 751 km and 1,250 km
Rs 15 increase for distances between 1,251 km and 1,750 km
Rs 20 increase for distances between 1,751 km and 2,250 km
Mail and express trains
In mail and express trains, fares across non-AC and AC classes—including sleeper, first class, AC chair car, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier and AC first class—have been increased by 2 paise per km. “As an illustration, for a 500 km journey in non-AC mail/express coaches, passengers will pay only about Rs 10 extra,” the statement said.
Trains covered under the fare hike
The revised fares apply to major services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Gatimaan, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, among others.
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