Lok Sabha Question No. 487 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Increase in Passenger Train Fares
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri Murasoli S, Smt. Rachna Banerjee, Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V, Shri C N Annadurai, Shri Pushpendra Saroj, Shri Rakesh Rathor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.487 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## INCREASE IN PASSENGER TRAIN FARES

## 487.    SHRI SUBBARAYAN K:

SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

SHRI SELVAM G:

COM. SELVARAJ V:

SHRI PUSHPENDRA SAROJ:

SHRI NAVASKANI K:

SHRI MURASOLI S:

SHRI RAKESH RATHOR:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has increased passenger train fares from 1 July, 2025, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, specially for AC coaches;
- (b) the details of the categories of trains such as Mail/Express, Passenger,  Superfast,  Vande  Bharat  etc.  and  classes  of travel-  Sleeper,  AC,  General  that  will  be  affected  by  the proposed fare hike;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  assessed/studied  the  likely financial  burden  on  daily  commuters  lower/middle  income group and economically weaker sections due to the proposed fare increase, especially on long distance and nonsuburban routes, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  any measures  have  been  proposed  to  protect affordability for low-income passengers, EWS, senior citizens and essential travel categories, including possible exemptions or subsidies, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the  details  of  distance  fixed  for  increasing  fares  and  the expected increase in revenue based on the recent fare hike;
- (f) the  manner  in  which  it  plans  to  balance  affordability  with revenue generation;
- (g) whether  any  public  consultation  or  stakeholders  feedback was taken before deciding on fare hikes for different classes, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (h) whether  the  Government  plans  to  improve  infrastructure, safety and frequency of suburban rail services and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (h): Indian Railways  provide  affordable transportation service  to  more  than  720  crore  passengers.  The  fares  of  Indian Railways are among  the lowest in the world, even  when compared with the neighboring countries.

Subsidy:  The  total  amount  of  subsidy  given  in  FY  2023-24  on passenger  travel  is  provisionally  estimated  at  Rs.  60,466  Crore.

This amounts to a 45 % subsidy on the cost of passenger travel.

Fares  have  been  rationalized  w.e.f.  01July  2025  after  a  gap  of more than 5 years. The increase in fares is very low, ranging from half paise per km to two paise per km for premium classes.

The details of the fare revision are as follows:

- i) No  increase  in  Second  Class  Ordinary  up  to  500  km  and thereafter  Half  paisa  increase  in  fare  per  passenger  per kilometer.
2. ii) Half  paisa  increase  in  fare  per  passenger  per  kilometer  in Sleeper Class Ordinary and First-Class Ordinary.
3. iii) 01  Paisa  increase  per  passenger  per  kilometer  in  Non-AC Classes in Mail Express.

iv) 02 paisa increase per passenger per kilometer in reserved AC-

Classes.

To maintain affordability for low and middle income families, the fares for MST and Suburban travel have not been revised. Further, the fare revision is likely to have insignificant impact on the  total  amount  of  subsidy  because  the  revision  ranges  from half paise to 2 paise only per kilometer of travel. It is estimated that less than half the trips will have a marginal increase  in  fare.  For  example,  for  a  low  -income  traveler  in general coach, there is no fare increase for 500 km travel. To  improve  the  Suburban  infrastructure  and  safety,  several works of Network expansion, Track upgradation etc. have been taken up. Further, increase in  frequency of train services including  suburban  train  services  is  an  on-going  process  over Indian railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification and availability of resources etc. *****