Indian Railways has announced a fare hike for long-distance passenger trains, effective December 26. The revision applies to Mail, Express and AC train services and marks another step in fare rationalisation. While ticket prices will increase slightly for long journeys, short-distance and suburban travel will remain unaffected.
Details of the Fare Revision
Under the revised structure, fares will rise marginally based on distance and travel class:
- Ordinary class journeys beyond 215 km will see an increase of 1 paisa per kilometre.
- Non-AC Mail and Express trains will become costlier by 2 paise per kilometre.
- All AC classes will also witness a 2 paise per kilometre increase.
For example, a passenger travelling around 500 km in a non-AC coach will pay roughly ₹10 more than before. Railway officials have stressed that the increase is modest and designed to minimise the burden on passengers.
Who Will Be Affected
The fare hike mainly impacts long-distance travellers, especially those using Mail, Express and AC services across states. Importantly, suburban train services, monthly season tickets, and short-distance ordinary class journeys below 215 km will not see any fare change.
This selective increase ensures that daily commuters and lower-income travellers remain protected from higher travel costs.
Why Indian Railways Introduced the Hike
Indian Railways cited rising operational and maintenance costs as the primary reason for the fare revision. Expenses related to fuel, manpower, infrastructure upkeep, safety upgrades and pensions have increased steadily.
The railway aims to balance affordability with financial sustainability while continuing to invest in network expansion, station redevelopment and improved passenger amenities. Officials noted that fare adjustments help support long-term service quality without imposing sharp price jumps.
Expected Revenue Impact
The revised fares are expected to generate approximately ₹600 crore in additional revenue. This extra income will be used to strengthen operations and fund ongoing and future infrastructure projects across the railway network.
Despite the increase, Indian Railways continues to remain one of the most affordable long-distance transport options in the country.
Conclusion
From December 26, passengers travelling long distances on Indian Railways will pay slightly higher fares on Mail, Express and AC trains. With short-distance and suburban services unaffected, the move reflects a targeted approach to managing costs while maintaining accessibility for millions of daily commuters.
