Photo by -Ashok Sinha
Train Fares Rise with Distance, Suburban Rates Stay
New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways today announced a revision to passenger train fares, effective from July 1, 2025, “to strengthen the financial framework of its extensive network”. The adjustments, drawn from the updated Passenger Fare Table issued by the Indian Railway Conference Association, modify fares for various train services and classes to align costs with operational demands.
For ordinary non-AC classes on non-suburban trains, second-class fares remain unchanged for journeys up to 500 kilometres. For distances beyond this, fares increase by Rs. 5 for trips between 501 and 1,500 kilometres, Rs. 10 for trips between 1,501 and 2,500 kilometres, and Rs. 15 for trips between 2,501 and 3,000 kilometres. This corresponds to a half-paisa-per-kilometre increase for second-class fares. Sleeper and first-class fares for these trains also rise by half a paisa per kilometre.
For non-AC classes on mail and express trains, second-class, sleeper, and first-class fares increase by one paisa per kilometre. For AC classes on mail and express trains, including AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier, AC 3-Economy, AC 2-Tier, AC First, Executive Class, and Executive Anubhuti, fares rise by two paise per kilometre. These revised fares extend to premier and special train services, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, AC Vistadome coaches, Anubhuti coaches, and ordinary non-suburban services, adhering to the updated class-wise fare structure.
Suburban single-journey fares and season tickets, both suburban and non-suburban, remain unchanged. Ancillary charges, including reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and other fees, stay the same. GST continues to apply as per existing rules, and fare rounding principles remain consistent with current practices.
The new fares apply to tickets booked on or after July 1, 2025. Tickets issued before this date retain their original fares without adjustment. The Ministry has instructed all Zonal Railways to update ticketing systems, including Passenger Reservation Systems, Unreserved Ticketing Systems, and manual ticketing counters, to reflect the new fares. Zonal Railways must also update fare displays at all stations to ensure passengers receive accurate information.
This fare revision seeks to balance the railway’s operational costs with passenger affordability, the Ministry stated.
To view the revised Passenger Fare Table,Click Here.
– global bihari bureau
