New Delhi: Train travel will become slightly more expensive from December 26, with the Railway Ministry raising fares for AC coaches and non-AC passengers
on Mail and Express trains by 2 paise per kilometre. As a result, a non-AC passenger travelling 500 km will pay an additional Rs 10. This is the second fare hike byIndian Railways in the current financial year, following an earlier revision in July. Under the revised fare rationalisation, suburban services and Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs) will remain unaffected, covering the largest segment of railway passengers. Additionally, ordinary class travellers on journeys of up to 215 km will not see any fare increase, a step aimed at shielding short-distance commuters and economically weaker passengers, railway ministry sources said. For ordinary class journeys exceeding 215 km, fares will rise by 1 paise per kilometre. Non-AC classes on Mail and Express trains will see a hike of 2 paise per kilometre, while AC classes will also witness a modest increase of 2 paise per kilometre. Indian Railways is expected to generate around Rs 600 crore in additional revenue this year from the fare rationalisation. Officials said that over the past decade, Indian Railways has significantly expanded its network and operations. With an increase in train services, higher operating speeds and a greater emphasis on safety, manpower needs have grown sharply. Consequently, manpower expenses have risen to Rs 1.15 lakh crore, while pension liabilities have touched Rs 60,000 crore. For the 2024–25 financial year, the total operational cost has climbed to Rs 2.63 lakh crore. To manage the rising costs, officials said Indian Railways is relying on higher cargo loading while implementing limited rationalisation of passenger fares.
