The Union railway ministry officially notified the hiked train ticket prices on Thursday. The new prices will come into effect from December 26. The Union ministry announced revised ticket prices recently as part of measures to rationalise fares.
The ministry announced its decision to increase the passenger fares on December 21. This is the second time in a year that passenger train fares have been revised. Earlier, fare hike was implemented in July.
"Under the revised fare structure, there is no change in fares for suburban services and season tickets, including both suburban and non-suburban routes. For ordinary non-AC (non-suburban) services, fares have been rationalised in a graded manner across second class ordinary, sleeper class ordinary, and first class ordinary," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said fare rates have been hiked with "the objective of balancing affordability for passengers and sustainability of operations".
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According to the Railway, "In second class ordinary, there is no increase in fare for journeys up to 215 km, ensuring that short-distance and daily commuters are not impacted. For distances from 216 km to 750 km, the fare increases by Rs 5. For longer journeys, the increase is applied in steps -- Rs 10 for distances between 751 km and 1250 km, Rs 15 for distances between 1251 km and 1750 km, and Rs 20 for distances between 1751 km and 2250 km."
According to the ministry, fares for sleeper class ordinary and first class ordinary have been revised at the rate of 1 paise per kilometre for non-suburban journeys; in mail/express trains, the fare increase has been rationalised at 2 paise per kilometre across non-AC and AC classes.
The revised fares are applicable only on tickets booked on or after December 26, the ministry said. "Tickets booked prior to this date will not attract any additional charges, even if the journey is undertaken after the effective date," it added.