Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Fare Structure/Affordability of Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Adv. Chandra Shekhar

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 175

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## FARE STRUCTURE/AFFORDABILITY OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS

## *175. ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the current fare structure for Vande Bharat trains during the year 2025-26 including average AC Chair Car and Executive Class fares  on  major  routes,  comparison  with  regular  Mail/Express  trains and passenger occupancy data (often near 100%) as of January 2026;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  steps  taken  to  address  widespread  criticism  that high  fares  make  Vande  Bharat  trains  inaccessible  to  middle  and lower-income passengers, despite claims of premium modern travel;
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  pricing  policy  aligns  with  World  Bank recommendations for inclusive and affordable public transport systems and best practices from the world including Japan's Shinkansen  and  China's  high  speed  rail  which  balance  speed  with broader economic accessibility; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  initiatives  taken  during  the  year  2025-26  to  make Vande  Bharat  more  inclusive  including  any  concessions,  subsidised tickets or special quotas for women, senior citizens or economically weaker sections and their uptake?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.175 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 IN LOK SABHA

(a) to (d) Indian Railways (IR) caters to various segments of the travelling public  and,  accordingly,  operates  different  types  of  train  services  like Suburban/Non-suburban ordinary train services, Mail/Express, Amrit Bharat,  Vande  Bharat,  Vande  Bharat  Sleeper,  Namo  Bharat  Rapid  Rail, Tejas,  Humsafar,  Rajdhani,  Shatabdi,  Duronto  and  Garib  Rath  services etc.

Ministry of Railways while deciding the fare structure of various types of passenger services gives due consideration to aspects like the cost of service, value of service, type of services/facilities offered, affordability, competition from other competing modes and socio-economic considerations etc.

Vande Bharat services since its introduction in February 2019, have been proliferated to 82 routes (164 train services) up to January 2026.

Vande  Bharat  trains  operate  as  a  distinct  passenger  service  segment having  specific  fare  structure  with  features  like  improved  suspension systems, faster acceleration with semi-high speed operation, automatic plug doors, ergonomics seats, mini pantry, CCTV's, KAVACH etc.

The  fares  of  Indian  Railways  are  among  the  lowest  in  comparison  to other countries in the world.

A comparison of the Indian Railway passenger fares (ordinary class) with the  fares  of  the  similar  segment  of  services  of  the  neighbouring countries is as under:

| Country    | Approx lowest fare per PKM   | Comparison with India   |
|------------|------------------------------|-------------------------|
| India      | ~ ₹ 0.20                     |                         |
| Pakistan   | ~ ₹ 0.54                     | ~ 2.5x higher           |
| Bangladesh | ~ ₹ 0.37                     | ~ 2x higher             |
| Sri Lanka  | ~ ₹ 0.51                     | ~ 2.5x higher           |

Keeping in view the affordability, the fare structure of Vande Bharat train services  is  kept  at  level  below  the  cost  of  service.  The  fare  of  Vande Bharat  AC chair car over a journey between 300 km to 400 km is around ₹2.19 per PKM which is much lower than the fares of similar segment of services in countries like China, Japan and France, where it ranges from ₹7.00 to ₹20.00 per PKM. The  rationalised  fare  structure  has  facilitated  the  wider  expansion  of these  services  across  the  country  reflecting  strong  passenger  demand for these services. Vande Bharat services have high occupancy level on all major routes with occupancy of Vande Bharat near 100% demonstrating a change in passenger preferences. Indian Railways provides affordable transportation service to more than 720  crore  passengers  annually.  The  fare  structure  of  Indian  Railways besides considering the socio-economic factors also largely aligns with the relevant best practices adopted by different railway systems of the world. 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.  There  is  no concession  in  fare  in  Vande  Bharat  trains,  however  four  seats  as reserved quota are earmarked for persons with disabilities (Divyangjans) in chair car of each train service.

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