Train Tickets To Cost Slightly More From December 26 As Railways Hikes Long-Distance Fares
The Ministry of Railways has announced a rationalisation of passenger fares effective December 26, 2025, increasing ticket prices for long-distance journeys while keeping suburban and short-distance fares unchanged, in a move aimed at shoring up finances without sharply burdening ordinary travellers.
What Changes From December 26
Under the revised structure, there is no hike in fares for suburban trains or monthly season tickets, and ordinary class journeys up to 215 km will continue at existing rates, protecting daily commuters and short-distance, low-income passengers.
For longer distances, however, passengers in most classes will pay a marginally higher fare per kilometer, with the increase applicable either to the entire journey or only to the distance beyond 215 km, depending on the category.
- Ordinary class (up to 215 km): No change in fares.
- Ordinary class (beyond 215 km): Hike of 1 paisa per km, applied on the distance beyond 215 km.
- Mail/Express non-AC (2S, Sleeper): Hike of 2 paise per km on the full journey distance.
- AC classes (3A, 2A, 1A etc.): Hike of 2 paise per km on the full journey distance.
How Much Extra Will Passengers Pay?
Railway officials emphasise that the impact on individual travellers will be “very modest”, pointing out that a 500 km journey in a non-AC Mail or Express coach will cost only around ₹10 more in base fare after the revision.
On key inter-city routes such as Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Kolkata, the 2 paise per km hike in Mail/Express classes translates into an approximate increase of ₹28–₹30 in base fare, before taxes and other charges, for a one-way trip.
- Affected: Long-distance passengers in ordinary (beyond 215 km), Mail/Express non-AC and all AC classes.
- Protected: Suburban travellers, monthly/quarterly season ticket holders and ordinary class passengers up to 215 km.
- Example: 500 km non-AC Mail/Express journey → about ₹10 extra in base fare after the hike.
Railways Targets ₹600 Crore Extra Revenue
The fare rationalisation is expected to generate roughly ₹600 crore in additional revenue in the remaining months of the 2025–26 financial year, on top of nearly ₹700 crore already raised through an earlier fare revision that took effect from July 1 this year.
Officials say the extra funds will support track upgrades, safety works, station improvements and better passenger amenities, especially as the network has expanded and train operations have intensified over the last decade.
- Operational costs have surged, with manpower expenses crossing about ₹1.15 lakh crore and pension liabilities around ₹60,000 crore annually, pushing total operating costs to nearly ₹2.63 lakh crore.
- Railways has become the world’s second-largest cargo carrier and has run over 12,000 special trains in the recent festival season, raising fuel and staffing costs.
- The ministry says it is balancing “social obligations” of affordable travel with the need to remain financially sustainable through limited, calibrated fare increases.
Second Hike In Six Months Raises Questions
This is the second upward revision of passenger fares in six months, following the July 1 hike that had already increased Mail/Express and AC fares by 2 paise per km, prompting transport experts and passenger groups to caution that repeated hikes must be matched by visible improvements in punctuality, cleanliness and safety.
The Railways, however, maintains that short-distance and suburban users—who make up a large share of daily ridership—have been fully insulated, and says the latest adjustments are focused on long-distance travellers who are better placed to absorb a small increase in ticket prices.
