Indian Railways has rationalised its passenger fare structure with minimal impact on commuters, the Ministry of Railways said on Wednesday as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiatives.
According to the ministry, there will be no increase in fares for suburban railway services, season tickets, or second-class ordinary travel for journeys up to 215 kilometres, providing relief to daily commuters and short-distance passengers.
The fare rationalisation has been designed to ensure affordability while maintaining operational sustainability. For long-distance travel, the impact on passengers has been kept marginal. Sleeper class and First Class ordinary fares will see a nominal increase of just 1 paisa per kilometre, the ministry said.
In the case of Mail and Express trains, fares in both AC and non-AC categories have been revised with an increase capped at 2 paise per kilometre, ensuring that the overall burden on passengers remains minimal.
Railway officials said the rationalisation exercise aims to balance passenger convenience with rising operational and maintenance costs, while protecting the interests of economically weaker sections and regular commuters.
The ministry emphasised that the revised fare structure reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to providing affordable and accessible transport while continuing to upgrade infrastructure and passenger services across the network.
