Indian Railways has announced a fare rationalisation effective from December 26, bringing modest but noticeable changes for long-distance travellers across the country. While passengers undertaking short journeys of up to 215 kilometres, suburban commuters, and Monthly Season Ticket (MST) holders have been spared, those travelling longer routes will see a slight increase in ticket prices.
According to official notification, the hike has been introduced to balance rising operational costs, human resource expenses, and sustained investment in safety and infrastructure, while ensuring daily commuters are not burdened.
What’s Changing: Category-Wise Fare Hike
The revised per-kilometre increase applies only beyond 215 km and is structured as follows:
Ordinary class: 1 paisa per kilometre
Mail–Express (Non-AC): 2 paise per kilometre
AC classes (all categories): 2 paise per kilometre
The Railways clarified that suburban train services and MST fares remain unchanged, safeguarding lakhs of daily passengers who depend on trains for work and education.
Patna–Delhi Travel to Get Costlier
For passengers travelling between Patna and Delhi, a distance of roughly 1,000 kilometres, the revised fares translate into:
Rs 10 extra for Jan Sadharan or ordinary express trains
Around Rs 20 more for Sampoorna Kranti, Rajdhani, and Vande Bharat services
Officials maintain that the hike is nominal and unlikely to significantly affect overall travel budgets.
Second Fare Revision in a Year
This is the second fare adjustment within a year. Earlier, from July 1, long-distance fares were revised with:
1 paisa per km hike for Mail–Express trains
2 paise per km hike for AC classes
Combined, passengers are now seeing an annual adjustment of 2–3 paise per kilometre on long-distance routes.
Why the Railways Raised Fares
Railway officials cited rising expenditure and long-term sustainability as key reasons behind the decision:
Human resource cost: Rs 1.15 lakh crore
Pension expenditure: Rs 60,000 crore
Total operating cost (FY 2024–25): Rs 2.63 lakh crore
At the same time, Indian Railways continues to expand networks, introduce modern trains, and invest heavily in safety upgrades.
Revenue Boost and Operational Strength
The fare rationalisation is expected to generate around Rs 600 crore in additional revenue this financial year. Officials also highlighted the Railways’ growing operational capacity, noting that India is now the world’s second-largest freight-carrying railway, and successfully operated over 12,000 special trains during the festive season.
What It Means for Passengers
By protecting short-distance travellers and daily commuters, the Railways has attempted to strike a balance between financial sustainability and social responsibility. However, experts warn that repeated hikes—even if small—may gradually impact budget-conscious long-distance passengers.
