Indian Railways rationalises Passenger Fares

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Indian Railways has continuously endeavoured to augment passenger experience through modernisation and provision of improved facilities over trains and stations. The last fare revision over Indian Railways was done in 2014-15. In order to expand passenger amenities and facilities at railway stations and trains, it has become imperative to increase the fare marginally without over burdening any class of passengers. Further, the burden of 7th Pay Commission on Indian Railway has necessitated rationalisation of fares.  Fare revision will help in channelising the fast modernisation of Indian Railway.

Accordingly, Railways has decided to marginally effect an increase in fare. Keeping the affordability concerns of daily commuters, there shall be no fare hike for passengers over suburban sections and season ticket holders. This class constitutes 66% of total passenger segment over Indian Railways.  Even for the passengers traveling in Ordinary Non AC Classes, there shall be a marginal increase of 1 paise/PKM (Passenger Kilometer). The increase in fare will be on tickets bought on or after 1^st January 1, 2020, and no excess fare (difference of fare) will be charged from passengers who have booked tickets before 1^st January 1, 2020.

The fare revision is as below: Ordinary Non-AC classes(Non-suburban):  Fare  increase by 01 paise/PKM ; Mail/Exp Non-AC classes : Fare increase by  02 paise/PKM; AC classes- Fare increase by  04 paise/PKM; Suburban fare and Season tickets: No increase, according to a PIB release.

Existing fares of train services like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Mahamana, Gatiman, Antyodaya, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Rajya Rani, Yuva Expresses, Suvidha and special trains on special charges, AC MEMU (non-suburban), AC DEMU (non-suburban) etc shall similarly be revised to the extent of the above proposed increase in class-wise fares.

There shall be no change in charges for reservation fee, superfast surcharge etc. Such charges, wherever applicable, shall continue to be levied additionally. GST as applicable shall be levied, as per instructions issued from time to time.