Will There Be No Fare Hikes for Ordinary Class Travel up to 500 km?
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Synopsis
Discover the latest updates from the Ministry of Railways regarding the fare structure for passenger trains! From July 1, ordinary non-AC class journeys up to 500 km will see no fare increases, while changes beyond that distance are on the horizon.
Key Takeaways
- No fare hikes for up to 500 km.
- Minor increases for longer journeys.
- No changes to suburban ticket fares.
- GST and other charges remain stable.
- Revised fares apply only to tickets booked after July 1.
New Delhi, June 30 (NationPress) The Ministry of Railways has officially unveiled a new fare structure for passenger train travel, set to be implemented starting July 1.
A significant aspect of this revised fare structure is that ordinary non-AC class passengers will not experience any fare increases for journeys up to 500 kilometres.
This fare rationalisation initiative aims to enhance the current fare framework and bolster the financial viability of passenger services.
The updated fare chart, issued by the Indian Railway Conference Association (IRCA), will be applicable across various train categories and classes.
For journeys exceeding 500 kilometres on ordinary non-suburban trains, there will be a slight fare increase.
In second-class coaches, fares will rise by Rs 5 for trips between 501 and 1,500 km, Rs 10 for distances from 1,501 to 2,500 km, and Rs 15 for 2,501 to 3,000 km.
Sleeper and first-class fares on non-suburban trains will see a minimal increase of 0.5 paisa per kilometre.
In Mail and Express trains (non-AC classes), fares for second class, sleeper class, and first class will uniformly increase by 1 paisa per kilometre.
For AC classes, including Chair Car, 3-Tier, 2-Tier, AC First, Executive Class, and Anubhuti Class, the fare hike will be 2 paisa per kilometre.
These fare adjustments will also extend to special and premium trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, and trains featuring AC Vistadome and Anubhuti coaches.
Importantly, there will be no changes to suburban ticket fares or season tickets, whether for suburban or non-suburban travel.
Furthermore, reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and other charges will remain stable.
GST will be applied according to existing regulations, and the rounding-off principles for fares will be consistent.
The revised fares will only apply to tickets booked on or after July 1. Tickets purchased prior to this date will retain their validity at the previous rates, with no fare differences to be paid by passengers.
The Indian Railways has instructed all zones to facilitate a seamless transition by updating their ticketing systems — PRS (Passenger Reservation System), UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System), and manual counters — along with updating fare boards at stations nationwide.
Point of View
We acknowledge the Ministry of Railways' effort to balance fare adjustments while ensuring the accessibility of train travel for the public. This approach reflects a commitment to enhancing passenger experience while maintaining financial stability.
NationPress
30/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new fare structure?
The new fare structure announced by the Ministry of Railways includes no fare hikes for ordinary non-AC class passengers traveling up to 500 km. There are slight increases for longer journeys.
When does the new fare structure take effect?
The revised fare structure will be effective from July 1.
Will suburban ticket fares change?
No, there will be no changes to suburban ticket fares or season tickets.
How will the fare increases be applied?
Fares will increase marginally for journeys beyond 500 km, with specific increments based on distance.
What about reservation fees and surcharges?
Reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and other charges will remain unchanged.
