Train journeys across India have become slightly more expensive starting today, following a revision in passenger fares announced by the Ministry of Railways. This marks the second fare hike in the past six months, signalling a calibrated move by the government to address rising operational costs while attempting to keep rail travel accessible for the majority of passengers.
According to the Railways Ministry, the decision has been taken to strike a balance between passenger affordability and the long-term sustainability of railway operations. The revised fares apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26. Passengers who booked their tickets earlier will not face any additional charges, even if their journey takes place after the new fares come into force.
Who Is Not Affected by the Hike
One of the key takeaways from the announcement is that not all travellers will feel the impact. Suburban train services and all season tickets, whether suburban or non-suburban, remain completely untouched by the revision. This ensures that daily commuters and regular passengers are shielded from higher costs.
Additionally, reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and other ancillary charges remain unchanged. The Railways has also clarified that GST rules will continue as before, with fares rounded off according to existing norms.
Revised Fares for Second Class Ordinary Travel
For passengers travelling in Second Class Ordinary coaches, the fare increase depends on the distance covered. Short-distance journeys of up to 215 kilometres will see no change at all. However, longer routes will now cost slightly more.
Journeys between 216 and 750 kilometres will attract an additional ₹5, while trips ranging from 751 to 1,250 kilometres will cost ₹10 extra. For distances between 1,251 and 1,750 kilometres, passengers will pay ₹15 more, and those travelling between 1,751 and 2,250 kilometres will see an increase of ₹20.
Changes in Sleeper and First Class Ordinary Fares
Passengers travelling in Sleeper Class Ordinary and First Class Ordinary coaches will face a marginal increase calculated on a per-kilometre basis. The fare has been raised by 1 paisa per kilometre, keeping the hike relatively modest even for longer journeys.
Mail and Express Trains See a Uniform Increase
For Mail and Express trains, the fare revision is more uniform. Across both non-AC and AC classes, fares have been increased by 2 paise per kilometre. This applies to Sleeper Class, First Class, AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, and AC First Class.
In practical terms, this means that for a 500-kilometre journey in a non-AC Mail or Express coach, passengers will pay roughly ₹10 more than before. The revised fares will also apply to premium and semi-premium services such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Mahamana, Yuva Express, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail.
What the Railways Is Saying
The Ministry of Railways has maintained that the revision follows a balanced approach. While acknowledging the importance of affordable travel, it has stressed the need to support infrastructure upgrades, service quality, and operational efficiency.
By limiting the hike to ticket fares and keeping other charges unchanged, the ministry appears to be aiming for a gradual adjustment rather than a sharp increase.
What Passengers Should Keep in Mind
For most travellers, the hike translates into a small addition to the ticket price rather than a significant burden. However, frequent long-distance travellers and those using premium services are more likely to notice the difference.
As with previous revisions, passengers are advised to check the updated fare while booking tickets to avoid surprises and plan their travel budgets accordingly.
