Railways fares to go up from December 26; check new ticket prices
Railways revises passenger fares as Non-AC tickets cost Rs 10 per 500 km
By Newsmeter Network
Railways revises passenger fares: Non-AC tickets cost Rs 10 per 500 km
New Delhi: The Indian Railways has announced a revision in passenger fares effective December 26, aiming to mobilise Rs 600 crore in additional revenue while protecting short-distance, suburban and season-ticket travellers from any hike.
Marginal fare hike for long-distance travel
Under the revised structure, fares will increase only for journeys beyond 215 km.
Ordinary Class: Additional 1 paisa per km.
Mail & Express (Non-AC and AC): Additional 2 paise per km.
For instance, a 500-km non-AC Mail/Express journey will cost Rs 10 more. There will be no increase for trips shorter than 215 km.
No change for suburban and season tickets
To ensure affordability for low- and middle-income commuters, suburban services and monthly season tickets remain untouched, the railways said.
Rising costs drive rationalisation
Explaining the decision, the Ministry of Railways said the network’s rapid expansion and improved safety standards have led to higher operating expenses.
Manpower cost: Rs 1.15 lakh crore.
Pension cost: Rs 60,000 crore.
Total operating cost (2024–25): Rs 2.63 lakh crore.
A limited fare rationalisation, alongside efforts to boost cargo loading, is intended to offset these rising costs.
Cargo push and safety gains
The railways noted that sustained investments in safety and operations have yielded results, with India emerging as the world’s second-largest cargo-carrying railway. Freight rates, unchanged since 2018 despite rising input costs, continue to rely on higher cargo volumes for revenue growth.
Festival operations showcase efficiency
Operational improvements were also highlighted during the recent festive season, when the railways successfully mobilised over 12,000 special trains, reflecting enhanced planning and execution.
Bullet train project picks up pace
Separately, the ministry said construction of the flagship high-speed bullet train project in Maharashtra has gathered momentum, with 100% land acquisition completed, paving the way for faster progress.
