Train Fare Hike takes effect from December 26, 2025, increasing ticket prices for long-distance rail travel beyond 215 km while keeping local trains and monthly passes unchanged.
By Qalam Times News Network
New Delhi | December 26, 2025
Train Fare Hike :Passengers travelling beyond 215 km will now pay a marginally higher fare; daily commuters remain unaffected
Train Fare Hike has officially come into force starting today, making long-distance rail journeys marginally more expensive across India. The revised fares apply to passengers travelling more than 215 kilometres and affect General, Mail/Express, and AC classes. Short-distance travellers, suburban services, and monthly pass holders, however, will see no change in ticket prices.
According to the Railways, the Train Fare Hike has been kept deliberately minimal to avoid placing an extra burden on regular commuters and lower-income passengers. For ordinary (General) class journeys beyond 215 km, the fare has increased by 1 paisa per kilometre. In Mail and Express trains—both non-AC and AC categories—the increase is 2 paisa per kilometre. In practical terms, a non-AC journey of 500 km will now cost only ₹10 more than before.
Who Will Not Be Affected
Passengers travelling less than 215 kilometres will continue to pay the old fares. This brings relief to daily commuters travelling within the Delhi-NCR region and nearby cities for work, education, or routine travel. Monthly Season Ticket (MST) holders and suburban train users are also exempt, as fares for local services remain unchanged.
Routes Where Fares Stay the Same
Railway officials clarified that journeys from Delhi to destinations within a 215-km radius will not see any hike. Stations such as Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, Saharanpur, Panipat, Rewari, Alwar, Dausa, Roorkee, and Haridwar fall within this range, ensuring no additional cost for travellers on these routes.
Trains Covered Under New Rates
The revised fares apply to major long-distance services, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Jan Shatabdi, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Mahamana, Yuva Express, and general non-suburban trains. AC MEMU and DEMU services have been excluded from the fare revision.
The Railways also confirmed that the new fares apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Passengers who booked tickets earlier will not be charged any additional amount. Updated fare charts will be displayed at railway stations nationwide.
Why the Railways Revised Fares
Railway authorities cited rising operational costs as the primary reason behind the fare revision. Over the past decade, the rail network has expanded significantly, requiring more trains, enhanced safety measures, and a larger workforce. Staff salaries have risen to approximately ₹1.15 lakh crore annually, while pension expenses now stand at around ₹60,000 crore per year. In the financial year 2024–25, total railway expenditure reached ₹2.63 lakh crore.
Officials maintain that freight revenue continues to shoulder a major share of expenses, and the Train Fare Hike for passengers has been kept as low as possible while ensuring long-term sustainability, safety, and service quality.
For long-distance travellers, train journeys will now cost slightly more. For daily commuters, suburban passengers, and monthly pass holders, nothing changes. The Railways insist the revision strikes a balance between financial responsibility and public convenience.
