Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 24: In a move to manage rising operational costs, Indian Railways is likely to implement a marginal hike in ticket fares for AC and non-AC Mail and Express trains starting July 1. However, officials assured that the hike will be minimal and will not heavily impact passengers.

A senior Railway official told The New Indian Express that there will be no increase in suburban fares or Monthly Season Ticket (MST) rates. Additionally, passengers travelling in ordinary second class for distances up to 500 km will also not see any fare increase.

"For second class journeys beyond 500 km, there will be a marginal rise of just half a paisa per kilometre," the official said.

The revised fare structure is expected to include a 1 paisa per km increase for non-AC Mail and Express trains, and a 2 paisa per km increase for AC class tickets. These adjustments apply to over 13,000 trains operating daily across the country.

The official emphasised that the fare revision is aimed at balancing the railways’ operational expenditures while ensuring regular and short-distance travellers are not burdened.