Indian Railways to Raise Long-Distance Train Fares from December 26, Daily Commuters to Get Relief

New Delhi, December 21: Indian Railways has announced an increase in fares for long-distance train travel, which will come into effect from December 26. The revised fare structure will mainly impact passengers travelling on longer routes, while daily commuters using suburban services and short-distance ordinary travel will remain unaffected. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Railways on Sunday. According to the Railways, the fare hike has been introduced to manage rising operational costs, especially the growing expenditure on manpower and pensions. The ministry clarified that the increase has been kept minimal so that the financial burden on passengers remains limited. At the same time, the move is expected to help the Railways generate additional revenue of around ₹600 crore. Officials said the Railways is committed to maintaining affordable and accessible transport for the public, even as it focuses on improving efficiency, safety and operational reforms. The ministry added that the revised fares are part of a broader effort to balance rising costs while continuing to invest in better services. Explaining the reasons behind the fare hike, the Railways pointed out that manpower-related expenses have risen sharply in recent years. Spending on manpower has increased to nearly ₹1.15 lakh crore, while pension costs have touched around ₹60,000 crore. In addition, the total cost of railway operations rose by about ₹2.63 lakh crore during the 2024–25 financial year. These factors, officials said, made it necessary to rationalise fares, particularly for long-distance travel. The Railways also noted that over the past decade, its network and operations have expanded significantly, requiring a larger workforce. This expansion has helped improve safety standards, efficiency and overall service delivery. As a result of these measures, Indian Railways has emerged as the world’s second-largest cargo railway system. During the current year, the Railways successfully ran more than 12,000 special trains to manage high passenger demand during peak travel periods. Officials said these efforts, while essential, have also added to operational costs. Alongside the fare revision, the Railways is focusing on increasing cargo loading to help offset higher manpower expenses. The ministry noted that this is not the first fare revision in recent times. The last increase in passenger fares was carried out in July 2025. However, the latest hike has been structured in a way that protects frequent travellers and economically weaker sections. Under the new fare structure, passengers travelling in mail and express trains in non-AC categories will see an increase of 2 paise per kilometre. All air-conditioned classes will also face a uniform hike of 2 paise per kilometre. For ordinary-class passengers travelling beyond 215 kilometres, fares will rise by 1 paise per kilometre. At the same time, several categories of passengers will not be affected by the fare hike. There will be no increase in fares for suburban train services and monthly season ticket holders, ensuring relief for daily commuters. Ordinary-class passengers travelling up to 215 kilometres will also continue to pay the existing fares. The Railways said this approach reflects its attempt to strike a balance between financial sustainability and public convenience. By shielding short-distance travellers and daily commuters from the hike, the ministry aims to reduce the impact on those who rely on trains for regular travel. Officials reiterated that the focus remains on providing safe, efficient and affordable rail services to millions of passengers every day. While long-distance travellers will have to pay slightly more from December 26, the Railways believes the increase is modest and necessary to support the growing scale of operations and future improvements in the system. Indian Railways to Raise Long-Distance Train Fares from December 26, Daily Commuters to Get Relief Indian Railways has announced a hike in fares for long-distance train travel, which will come into effect from December 26. The revised fare structure will mainly impact passengers travelling on longer routes, while daily commuters and short-distance travellers will continue to get relief. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Railways on Sunday. According to the Railways, the fare increase has been introduced to manage rising operational costs, especially those linked to manpower and pensions. Officials clarified that the hike has been kept minimal so that passengers do not face a heavy financial burden. The move is expected to help the Railways generate around ₹600 crore in additional revenue. The ministry explained that manpower-related expenses have gone up significantly in recent years. Spending on manpower has reached nearly ₹1.15 lakh crore, while pension costs stand at about ₹60,000 crore. Along with this, the total cost of railway operations increased by nearly ₹2.63 lakh crore during the 2024–25 financial year. These rising expenses made a revision in fares necessary, particularly for long-distance travel. Under the new fare structure, passengers travelling in mail and express trains in non-AC categories will see an increase of 2 paise per kilometre. All AC classes will also face a uniform hike of 2 paise per kilometre. For ordinary-class passengers travelling beyond 215 kilometres, fares will rise by 1 paise per kilometre. However, the Railways has ensured that daily commuters are protected. There will be no fare hike for suburban train services and monthly season ticket holders. Ordinary-class passengers travelling up to 215 kilometres will also not see any increase in ticket prices. This step is aimed at keeping rail travel affordable for those who depend on trains every day. The Railways also highlighted that its network and operations have expanded greatly over the past decade. Increased manpower and safety measures have helped Indian Railways become the world’s second-largest cargo railway system. This year alone, over 12,000 special trains were run to manage high passenger demand. Officials said the focus remains on efficiency, safety and affordable travel, even as costs rise. While long-distance travellers will pay slightly more from December 26, the Railways believes the increase is modest and necessary to support better services in the long run.