Lok Sabha Question No. 718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Revision of Passenger Fares
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Shri Tanuj Punia, Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade, Km. Sudha R, Shri Benny Behanan, Shri K Radhakrishnan, Shri Karti P Chidambaram, Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## REVISION OF PASSENGER FARES

## 718. SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM:

SHRI TANUJ PUNIA:

KM. SUDHA R:

SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:

SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  two  revisions  of  passenger fares/superfast  charges,  reservation  charges  and  other  ancillary  fees during  the  financial  year  2025-26  and  if  so,  the  dates,  categories  of trains and classes of travel to which each revision applied along with the reasons of such increases;
- (b)  the  State-wise  details  of  stations  and  services  affected  by  these  fare
- revisions;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  assessed  the  cumulative  socio-economic impact  of  multiple  fare  increases  on  passengers,  particularly  daily commuters low and middle-income commuters/long distance travellers, students  and  migrant  workers/workers,  families  and  senior  citizens, prior to implementing the second revision and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the manner in which the Government plans to revise the system without hindering  service  to  passengers  who  cannot  afford  to  pay  the  twiceincreased amount;
- (e) whether such fare hikes have adversely affected passenger traffic and shifted commuters towards other modes of transport;
- (f) the total additional revenue expected to be generated by Railways as a result of this fare increase;
- (g) the steps  proposed  to  reduce  the  financial  burden  on  common passengers and to ensure that the additional revenue collected leads to better safety, punctuality and passenger amenties; and
- (h) whether it is also true that the railways was forced to increase the train fare as the condition of the railways has been deteriorating and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (h)  Indian  Railways  provides  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.

The  total  amount  of  subsidy  given  in  FY  2023-24  on  passenger  travel  is provisionally estimated at ₹60,466 Crore. This amounts to a 45% subsidy on  the  cost  of  passenger  travel.  In  other  words,  if  the  cost  of  providing services  is  ₹100  then  the  price  of  ticket  is  ₹55  only.  This  subsidy  is continuing  for  all  passengers.  Further,  concessions  beyond  this  subsidy amount  are  continuing  for  many  categories  of  persons  with  disabilities (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

Indian  Railways  has  undertaken  two  rationalizations  of  passenger  fares during the financial year 2025-26 after a gap of 5 years. These revisions have  been  carried  out  uniformly  and  in  a  calibrated  manner  across applicable  classes.  The  first  rationalization  was  implemented  with  effect from 01.07.2025, the details of which 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.
4. iv) 02  paisa  increase  per  passenger  per  kilometer  in  reserved  ACClasses.

The second rationalisation was implemented with effect from 26.12.2025, the details of which are as follows:

- i) No increase in Second Class Ordinary up to 215 km and thereafter 01 paisa increase in fare per passenger per kilometer.
2. ii) 01 paisa increase in fare per passenger per kilometer in Sleeper Class Ordinary and First-Class Ordinary.
3. iii) 02 Paisa increase per passenger per kilometer in Non-AC Classes in Mail Express.
4. iv) 02  paisa  increase  per  passenger  per  kilometer  in  reserved  ACClasses.

The existing basic fares of major train services, including Tejas Rajdhani, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Tejas, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, and Ordinary non-suburban services (excluding AC MEMU/DEMU,  where  applicable),  have  been  revised  in  line  with  the approved class-wise basic fare increases.

Reservation charges, superfast surcharge and other ancillary charges were not  increased.  In  order  to  maintain  affordability  for  lower  and  middle income  families,  the  fares  for  Suburban  services  and  Season  Tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes have not been revised.

The fare revision is likely to have insignificant impact on the total amount of subsidy because this revision ranges from half paisa to 2 paisa only per kilometer of travel. It is estimated that less than half the trips will have a marginal increase in fare. The increase in fares on both the occasions was very  low  and  have  been  undertaken  to  balance  passenger  affordability while maintaining operational sustainability.

Further,  various  initiatives  have  been  undertaken  by  the  Ministry  of Railways in providing safe, comfortable, and quality services to passengers which includes the following:

-  Upgradation of passenger amenities at stations under schemes like Amrit Bharat station scheme.
-  Introduction  of  modern  trains  such  as  Vande  Bharat  Sleeper,  Vande Bharat, Non-AC Amrit Bharat trains and Namo Bharat Rapid trains etc. to enhance passenger experience, cleanliness, and onboard services.
-  Enhanced monitoring and feedback mechanisms through Rail Madad.
-  Implementation  of  digital  initiatives  such  as  Rail  one  app,  UTS  on Mobile App etc.

The  above  measures  have  resulted  in  increased  passenger  satisfaction. With focus on operational efficiency modernization and digitization Indian Railways  aims  to  maintain  affordable  passenger  fares  while  improving quality of services and ensuring financial sustainability.

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