Train fares are set to increase slightly from next month, Railway Ministry officials said. The hike will be minimal—non-AC fares in Mail and Express trains will go up by 1 paise per kilometre, while AC class fares will rise by 2 paise per kilometre.
“As compared to the previous fare revisions in 2020 and 2013, the current increase will be the lowest,” a railway official told news agency PTI. The official added, “As far as suburban train and monthly season tickets are concerned, it has been decided not to increase any fare in the interest of daily commuters.”
Fares for second-class travel up to 500 km will remain unchanged. For distances over 500 km, fares may go up by half a paisa per km.
The last fare hike was on January 1, 2020. At that time, second-class fares for ordinary and Mail/Express trains were increased by 1 paisa/km and 2 paise/km respectively, while sleeper and AC classes saw a rise of 2 paise/km and 4 paise/km respectively.
Before that, fares were revised in 2013. Back then, second-class fares for ordinary trains increased by 2 paise/km and Mail/Express trains by 4 paise/km. Sleeper class fares rose by 6 paise/km. “In 2013, all AC class fares, except AC II, were increased by 10 paise/km, and AC II fare went up by 6 paise/km,” the official said.
In another big change starting July, the Railways will introduce Aadhaar-based OTP verification to curb misuse and block middlemen in ticket bookings.
From July 1, Tatkal tickets on IRCTC’s website and app will be available only for users verified through Aadhaar. By July 15, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will be mandatory for all online Tatkal bookings. Tatkal tickets booked at reservation counters or through authorised agents will also require OTP authentication using the mobile number provided during booking.
